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OF THE TOWN OF 



BI¥lLllil 



NEW HAMPSHIRE 



BY 



REV. SIMEON BOLLES 



WOODSVILLE, N. H.: 

ENTERPRISE PRINTING HOUSE 

1883 



i 



m EARLY HISTORY i 






m 
m 







THE 

EARLY HISTORY 

—OF THE— 



BETHLEHEM, 

NEW HAMPSHIRE 



-BY— 

REV. SIMEON BOLLES 



... w^ 



WOODSVILLE, N. H: 
ENTERPRISE PRINTING HOUSE. 

1888. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, June 23, 1883, 

By Rev. Simeon Bolles, Bethlehem, N. H., 

In the Office r.f t'-ie 1 ihrr.iian . if Congress, at Washinaton, 




PREFACE, 

The interest felt by many in preserving the early 
history of Bethlehem as well as the importance of these 
records and the opportunities for obtaining such infor- 
mation is annually decreasing. It was apparent that 
unless soon collected and put in form to be retained they 
would be lost to view in that darkness that follows close 
ly the march of time. 

As no one seemed willing to undertake the task I 
iiave secured what facts I could in so short a time and 
I now present them to the public. The style of writin- 
may vary but the facts presented lose none of their le" 
gitimate importance or interest. 

S. B. 
Bethlehem, August 3. 1883 



E. B. Wallace, Publisher and Printer, 
Woodsville. N.H. 



THE 

EARLY HISTORY 

OF 

THE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H. 



CHAPTER I. 



While somn parts of our country are fuvnisli- 
iii^- conclusive proof, in the form of mounds, for- 
tifications and other relics of various kinds, that 
a race were dwellers in the Western World long 
l)efore and superior to the red man in develop- 
ment, if not by nature, we have no proof that 
Bethlehem was ever inhabited or even known to 
exist by any human being prior to the existence 
of the North iVmerican Indian; and w^e failto find 
conclusive evidence that the red man ever chose 
this spot for a permanent home. N"b doubt the 
uncultivated children of the forest (being lovers 
of nature,) came at times to hunt and fish or to 
enjoy a few wrecks of pleasure in nature's wild 
retrvai, and it mav be that these commodious 



2 THE EARL Y HIS TOE Y OF THE 

structures that furnish pleasant homes for the 
many tourists who annually visit this lovely sj^ot, 
have been erected on the same grounds that were 
once utihzed by the red man on wliich to con- 
struct his wigwam. Who can say that on the 
same identical spot beneath the overhanging 
branches of some forest king, in twilight hour, a 
wood-nymph being the only witness, the dark- 
skinned warrior did not woo and win his dusky 
mate? 

While the mound builders were unconsciously 
making records that would reveal the fact to fu- 
ture generations that they once existed, that 
which is now Bethlehem was clothed with prime- 
val upland grandeur beautified by nature's own 
adornments. No sound of the woodman's axe, 
no crack of the hunter's rifle, no merry laugh of 
happy children were heard and no familiar bell 
awoke the echoes of Sabbath morning calling 
the people to church. The morning and evening- 
stars saw no change and setting sun bid adieu, 
(not a final farewell,) kissing tree-tops and hill- 
side with his departing rays to greet them again 
on the morrow. Thus things continued without 
any essential change during periods of ui^^xnown 
length. Could an observer have been permitted 



TO WN OF BETHLEHEM, K H 3 

to look upon this enchaiitino- spot from his home 
on some planet far off in the regions of space, 
his thoughts might have been something like the 
following: " Thou Invisible One! Why such lav- 
ish display of Tiiy creative power in that unin- 
habited region with gradual sloping grounds, 
more conspicuous elevations, plats and valleys 
covered with forest kings with giant forms inter- 
spersed with various specimens of the floral king- 
dom? No human beings enjoy the beauties of 
this favored spot for none are there. Why is it 
thus?" Echo repeats, "Why?" and the sound 
dies away in ethereal space. 

After the lapse of ages the question is answer- 
ed. In harmony with the Creators wise arrang- 
ment of things his plans are gradually unfolded 
to the comprehension of man. Things created 
for the benefit of our race and the uses that the 
Creator designed that man should make of them, 
are made known to him as fast as man's upward 
progress and development require such knowl- 
edge. The North American Indian had no use 
for oar, coal or petroleum stored away by their 
Creator beneath the surface of the globe and he 
knew Uiit Httle or nothing of their existence. 
But when society became civilized and enhghten- 



4 THE EARL Y HISTOIi Y OF THE 

ed there were correspondiiijjf needs to be sup- 
plied, and in harmony with the Creator's plan 
mans knowledge of these hidden *treasiires, with 
ability to obtain and iitihze tliern, was co-extensive 
with the demand for them. Crowded cities, close 
application to business and unhealthy climate 
necessitated rest, a change of scenery and atmos- 
phere. While causes were creating a necessity 
for such a change, causes were preparing places 
where such changes could be obtained. Civiliza- 
tion was on the march, and hardy pioneers found 
their way to this hilly region, gradually the pop- ' 
ulation increased and usurped the laws of nature 
and woodland glor}^ disappeared before the state- 
ly tread of civilization. The hand of industry 
utilzed the primeval forest and flowing streams, 
while the virgin soil yielded an abundant harvest. 
At this point we leave the subject and go back 
to an ealiier date in the history of the town. It 
was early dawn in the beautiful morning when 
the feathered tribe were stopped and startled in 
the midst of their early songs, wild beasts were 
disturbed in their lairs and old Bruin sat upon his 
haunches, while the nimble squirrel ascended to 
the top-most branch of some stately tree to un- 
derstand, if possible, the meaning of those strange 



TO WN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 5 

sounds and wonderful sights ; but being new to 
them they could not solve the mystery, for they 
now beheld for the first time, the camp of the 
white man, with its ascending smoke ; they heard 
the sound of the wood-man's axe as stroke after 
stroke was vigorously appHed, and the meaning 
of all this was that the wild occupants of the for- 
rest could no longer hold undisputed sway over 
that part of natures wild domain ; and more, it 
was the precursor of important events, a link in 
the long chain of cause and effect by which the 
Creator governs the world. It was a harbinger of 
the day when Bruin must live a more retired life 
or retreat before the advancing tide, when game 
of all kinds must for their own safety keep a 
sharp lookout for their new but deadly foe, when 
the beauties of well cultivated fiields would sup- 
plant woodland glory, when log cabins would dis- 
appear before an increasing number of more com- 
modius and better constructed framed buHdings 
when school and meeting houses shuld dot the' 
place, standing like so many guardian angels to 
protect the best interests of society, when rail- 
roads, telegraph and telephone would connect 
this town with Boston and other great cities, 
when Bethlehem Street would witness the com- 



6 THE EARL Y HISTOR Y OF THE 

ing and going of the majestic iron horse, when 
this locaHty would become a theme of conversa- 
tion in all parts of the civilized world and thous- 
ands be attracted hither b}' its natural scenery 
and the wonderful powor of its atmosphere to re- 
store health to suffering invalids. 

Knowledge and fame of the real value of Beth- 
lehem as a summer resort is increasing in this 
and foreign lands with a corresponding increase 
of annual travel to this place of beauty and won- 
derful sights. Looking far back into the past 
and peering away into the comparitively unknown 
future, who can define or limit the resources and 
ability of Bethlehem to accommodate guests, or 
the demand that shall be made upon her? Who 
can tell what the ultimatum will be? 

CHAPTER 2. 



From various sources we gather the following- 
relative to the early liistory of Bethlehem. 

Adventurous spirits are never lacking in num- 
ber or willingness to explore unknown regions. 
Eestless and daring with great physical powers 
and constitution like iron, they were adapted by 
nature for fultilling their important but hazard- 



TO WN OF BETHLEHEM, K H 7 

ous mission. They find no charms in city life or 
in a quiet rural home, they court hardships and 
delight in dangers connected Avith a forest Hfe 
far beyond the boundary of civilization. It was 
a iDart of the Creator's wise arrangement of things 
that forest grandeur would yield to superior pow- 
er which could not be accomphshed without the 
aid of bold and energetic characters whose names 
and individual deeds of daring, to a great extent, 
are now unknown, being buried in the debris of 
the past, but the results of their labors continue 
to exist. 

Bethlehem was not exempt fi'om those restless 
feet and keen searching eyes that sought to pen- 
etrate to the depths of nature's secrets and reveal 
the mysteries of her most secluded abodes, and 
when success had crowned their efforts they pic- 
tured in glowing terms and picturesque language 
(though lacking in those rhetorical adornments 
that might embelish the writings of Hterary men, 
yet with great power being inspired by enchant- 
ing surroundings,) what they found recorded in 
the great book of nature. News of its discovery 
with its many advantages of beautiful scenery, 
forests and flowers, its ripphng streams and nat- 
ural water power, productive soil and puritv of 



8 THE EARL Y HIS TOE Y OF THE 

never-failing springs, spread with great rapidity 
along the borders of civilization and soon became 
the theme of conversation at public gatherings, 
with laboring men in their daily toil and at the 
family hearth-stone ; children sat on father's knee 
to hear the wonderful story aud lovers gravely 
consulted together as to the feasibility of begin- 
ning a wedded life in the promised land. 

The tirst to awaken slumbering echoes by es- 
tablishiu*2; permanent homes mid the grandeur of 
primeval beauty, were Benjamin Brown aud Jo- 
nas Warren from Massachusetts. This was in 
1787 or 1788. For a time there were only three 
families in town, the two above named and an- 
other the name of which, from whence they came, 
how long they resided here, or whither they went, 
we can find no trace. Mr. Warren located on^ 
the place now occupied by Charles Blandin ; they 
had four children, Otis, Betsy, Jonas and Anna. 
Mr. Brown settled on the farm known as James 
Bean place on the South Road. They had eleven 
children, named Abigail, Frances, Marcus, Benj- 
amin, Ida, Cynthia, Anna, Susannah, Triphena, 
Oliver and Mahala. Marcus died in Bethlehem 
leaving one son and one daughter who now re- 
side in town. Two of the eleven children above 



TO WN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 9 

named, Benjamin and Ida were twins, the first 
pair born in town. 

In the spring of 1790 James Turner began his 
settlement on Lloyd's Hill, there being at that 
time only two families in town; afterwards dur- 
ing the same year others came. In March, 1794, 
Lot Woodbury settled in town, he came from 
Roylston, Mass., bringing his family and effects 
on an ox sled. 

The shorter month of February had lived out 
its time and the longer days of March with their 
piercing cold were now in line of march following 
closely its predecessor. The ground was clothed 
in its pure white garments so beautifully adapted 
to the winter season in this northern clime. The 
rippling brook and murmuring rill were hushed 
in silence bound by fetters of ice and clothed 
with a silvery sheen. The cold breath of frozen 
north with icy coldness penetrating every nook 
and corner. Its chilling influence caused fond 
mothers to be more careful of their little ones and 
travelers instinctively wrapped more closely 
around tlemsalves their outer garments. Snow 
birds continued to come daily to doors and win- 
dows of friendly dwellings in quest of food in the 
form of bits of bread or cold potatoes from the 



10 THE EARL Y HISTOR Y OF THE 

remnants of a well-spread table that chanced to 
tind its way to the exterior of the buildings, and 
occasionally a group of little children with eyes 
sparkling with delight and showing extreme 
pleasure, might have been seen with busy hands 
fetching crumbs to their charming little visitors, 
while a solitary' crow might have made his pres- 
ence known by his accustomed " haw," moving 
lazily on the wing as if in search of food or signs 
of warmer weather ; but the time had not come for 
the warm blushes of spring to dispel that frigid 
look that covered the face of Nature. 

In the town of Roylston, Mass., at the time of 
which we are writing, there might have been seen 
an unusual stir that showed conclusively that an 
important event was near at hand not unlike 
those scenes transpiring to a greater or less ex- 
tent along the borders of civilization. Neighbors 
gathered at this central point of attraction not to 
converse on the general topics of the day, but to 
share in those scenes and witness those events in 
which they felt a special interest , no pleasing 
story WAS rehearsed or jovial language used, no 
merry peals of laughter or songs of mirthful im- 
port saluted the ear, but solemnity bended over 
this little group of anxious friends, for their 



TO WN OF BETHLUHEM, N. K 11 

hearts were sad and their eves were filled with 
flowing tears. 

The wood in the old fashioned tire-place had 
not been replenished for some little time, the large 
fore-stick- and huge back-log had been converted 
into glowing enjbers by the devoui'ing element 
and a small tallow candle was burning low in its 
iron socket, whose dim and flickering light gave 
a dreary aspect to various objects within the room, 
harmonizing with the feelings of the little compa- 
ny. Warm grasping of hands, a fervent parting 
kiss, and ejaculations of "my best wishes I leave 
with 3'ou," "don't forget us," and "may God bless 
us all" ends the scene within. Before the door of 
the dwelling stood a yoke of oxen attached to a 
sled on w^hich might have been seen household 
effects, provisions, and a small amount of farm- 
ing implements, the family now coming forward 
taking their allotted seats, the load was complet- 
ed, when all being ready the team moved on. The 
sky was cloudless and the twinkhng stars still 
shown in all their glory for twilight had not come 
to dim their heavenly beauty. 

Slowly and silently the subject of our narative 
moves onward and when day dawned they were 
beyond the sight of their once hapi)y home 



12 THE EARL Y HIS TOE Y OF THE 

This family consisted of Lot AVoodbury and wife, 
one pair of twins named Zariali and Oliver, about 
two years old, and Asa about six weeks of age. 
Asa died in this town loved and respected by all 
who knew him, being a prominent man and a 
good citizen, leaving behind him an influence for 
good which none but a kind, benevolent, true- 
hearted, and practical Christian can. We can 
picture in our imagination the feehngs and emo- 
tions of those anxious parents as they journeyed 
in the twilight of morning; fields and gardeiis 
were being left in the rear, familiar objects and 
loving friends had been seen by them (it might 
be for the last time) and the certainty of what 
they left behind and the uncertainty of that 
which was before them made it a moment of in- 
tense interest to those thoughtful travelers. 

While contemplating the hardships that await- 
ed them in their forest home, the j^ossible dan- 
gers from wild beasts, cold, and hunger, they 
were cheered with the thought that warm hearts 
and welcome greetings awaited them on their ar- 
rival. As the cold increased with the rising sun 
the fond mother cared for the twins as best she 
could, at the same time hugging her babe more 
closely to her throbbing bosom. Slowly and wear- 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 13 

ilj the day wore on, nigtit was approacliing, twi- 
light came silently on as the brightness of day 
began to recede. The sun had gone to rest in 
its far off western liome, giant forms stood mo- 
tionless in tlie piercing cold of the evening air, 
while their branches moved to and fro like spec- 
tral forms in a stirring breeze far in the frozen 
north, but the children heeded it not being wrap- 
ped in bonds of quiet slumber. In a short time a 
comfortable shelter was secured for the night 
and thus ended the iirst daj's journey. 

In the morning, refreshened in body and spir- 
its, they continued on their way. Day after day 
they moved slowly on surrounded by the same 
general scenery, good and poor roads, forests 
and cultivated patches of land with here and 
there a lonely dwelling, hills and valleys met 
their sight, while the sameness of the teamster's 
voice and language, the likeness of the cries and 
prattling noise of the little ones and calm, sooth- 
ing voice of the fond, careful mother all combin- 
ed to make their long tedious journey a monoto- 
nous one. 

In due time they reached the brook in the 
little valley about a mile west of Bethlehem 
Street and began to ascend the hill. The oxen, 



14 THE EARL Y HIS TOE Y OF THE 

weary and worn by the heavy load they had 
drawn and great distance they had come, moved 
on mindful of the fact that the end was near, 
but by much and constant urging with a vig- 
orous given imperative command of "Gee Star," 
"Haw Line," or "Walie up my boy," which awoke 
many slumbering echoes, the jaded team was in- 
duced to obey the driver's voice and to move on, 
stopping every four rods to rest. 

The knowledge of their near proximity to their 
future place of residence acted on the minds of 
Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury like magic power: for 
the moment forgeting their hardships and weari- 
ness of body and mind, they were exultant 
with joy at the near realization of their long 
cherished hopes. The children seemed to catch 
the inspiration, for the twins talked more gladful 
in their childish way and baby came in for a 
share with an increasing prattle. In their frame 
of mind the parents descanted on beauties of 
Nature that surrounded them on either side, and 
so charming to them was the scenery that Mrs. 
Woodbury likened theu' journey up the hill to 
that of ascending the hill of Zion. They soon 
reached their place of destination. Halting be- 
fore the cabin door of Jonas Warren where 



TO WN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 15 

they were to stay until a home of then* own 
could be prepared. 

The twins referred to in this narrative were the 
first brought to Lloyd's Hill. The only surviv- 
ing member of Lot Woodbury's family is widow 
Wilder, the mother of Horace W. Wilder, the 
proprieter of the poj^ular Centennial House. 
Mrs. Wilder was born in Bethlehem, which place 
has been her home up to the present time : she is 
the oldest person born in the town who is living 
there. She is cared for by her son Horace W. 
The oldest person in town is Isaac Newton 
Gay, born in Massachusetts in 1796. 

The part that Mrs. Woodbury acted in estab- 
lishing a new home in a distant forest seems 
more like the work of vivid imagination than 
of stern reality, but from the landing of the pil- 
grims on the ice-clad Rock of Plymouth, bold 
and brave women were ready to share in all the 
privations of a pioneer life. To much cannot be 
said in praise of those women who acted so con- 
spicuous a part in laying the foundation for the 
future prosperity of Bethlehem. They were not 
only resolute and fearless but also persons of 
strong mind with good moral, christian character. 
They faithfully performed their duties as wives, 



16 THE EARL Y HIS TOR Y OF THE 

mothers and daughters at the same time render- 
ing material aid in clearing, putting seed 
in the groand' in the spring-time and in 
gathering their scanty harvest in the autumnal 
season ; in fact there was no labor in which they 
did not have a hand to a greater or less extent. 
The light and cheer imparted by the females of 
those early times was not confined alone to their 
own cabins, but it extended to every family in 
the little settlement, they imparted life to social 
gatherings, and their hopeful word and strong, 
sympathetic feelings imparted comfort and new 
life to the sick and disheartened. The names 
and deeds of those self-sacrificing women, who 
so patiently and heroicly contended with great 
hardships and perils in planting the germ of civ- 
ilization and in fostering the growth or enlight- 
ened society amid the the primeval forests that 
then covered our now well-cultivated uplands and 
valleys, deserve to be held in grateful remem- 
brance by those who now enjoy the benefits of 
their labors and when the last vestige of their 
noble deeds shall have disappeared and time 
shall have rendered epitaphs illegible and even 
the headstone has crumbled and lost its identity 
in the great whole from wiiich it was taken, and 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 17 

wliile the undying inilnence of those truly noble 
women shall silently continue to work out its glo- 
rious mission, may recollections of them be en- 
graven on the mind to the latest posterity. 

Isaac Newton Gay came into town in 1800. 
Of a Balm Gilead tree near the residence of A. 
S. Phillips, J\Ir. Gay says, "On my seventh birth- 
day, June 6, 1803, I set it out with my own 
hands; there were two of them, but one died." 
Nathaniel Snow, father of the Nathaniel Snow 
who died in this town, originally surveyed Beth- 
lehem, and tiie compass used is now in the pos- 
se sion of Reuben Baker. 

CHAPTERS. 



Bethlehem was incorporated Dec. 27, 1799. It 
was originally called Lloyd's Hill; the first town 
meetings were in 1800, and the following are 
copies of their records : — 

At a legal meeting of the legal voters of the 
town of Bethlehem, held on Tuesday, the fourth 
day of March, A. D. 1800, voted as follows: — 

Sworn 1. Made choice of Moses Eastman for 
a moderator. 

Sworn 2. Made choice of Moses Eastman for 
a Town Clerk. 



18 THE EARL Y HIS TOE Y OF THE 

Sworn 3. Made choice of Moses Eastman ior 
the tirst select man. 

Sworn 4. Made choice of Nathaniel Snow for 
the second ditto. 

Sworn 5. Made choice of Amos Wheeler for 
the third ditto. 

Sworn 6. Made choice of Edward Oakes for a 
Constable. 

Sworn 7. Made choice of Edward Oakes for a 
collector. 

Sworn 8. Made choice of Simeon Bui't for a 
Highway Surveyor. 

Sworn 9. Made choice of John Gile for a 
Highway Surveyor. 

Sworn 10. Made choice of Edward Oakes for 
a Highway Surveyor. 

Sworn 11. Made choice of Lot Woodbury for 
a fence viewer. 

Sworn 12. Made choice of Amos Wheeler for 
a Sealer of weights and measures. 

Sworn 13. Made choice of James Noyes for 
a Tithing-man. 

Sworn 14. Made choice of John Eussell and 
Edward Oakes for hogreefs. 

15. Voted to dissolve the meeting. 

A true copy, 

attest, Moses Eastman, T. Clerk. 
Moses Eastman, Moderator. 



TOWN OF BETHLEHE3I, N. K 19 

At a legal meeting of the legal voters of the 
Town of Betlileliem, held on the tenth of April, 
1800, voted as follows, viz: — 

1st. Made choice of Edward Oakes for a mod- 
erator. 

2nd. Voted to raise Twenty-four dollars for 
Schooling. 

3rd. Voted to raise four dollars to defray 
Town charges. 

4th. Voted to raise Sixty dollars to be w^orked 
out on the road, 

5th. Voted to raise twelve dollars to defray 
Town charges. 

6th. Voted to dissolve the meeting. 

Edward Oakes, Moderator. 

A true copy. 

Attest, Moses Eastman, T. Clerk. 



At a legal meeting of the legal voters of the tow^n 
of Bethlehem, held on May the 8th, A. D. 1800, 
voted as follows: — 

1st. Made choice of Lot Woodbury for a 
moderator, 

2nd. Voted to raise three hundred and ninety 
dollars to repair Highways and Bridges. 

3rd. Voted to allow eight cents per hour for 



20 THE EARL Y HIS TOR Y OF THE 

each man and six cents per hour for each yoke 
of oxen. 

4th. Made choice of Lot Woodbury, Amos 
Wheeler, Isaac Batchellor, Simeon Burt and Na- 
thaniel Snow as a committee to look out a place 
where to build a bridge over Ammonoosuc Riv- 
er above Wm. Houghton's mills. 

5th. Voted that each man shall appear on the 
Burying ground on Wednesday, the fourth of 
June next, to clear and fence said ground. 

Lot Woodbury, moderator. 

A true copy, 

Attest. Moses Eastman, T. Clerk. 

CHAPTER 4. 



Love of wild scenes and exciting adventures as 
well as a desire to acquire wealth caused immi- 
gration hither to continue, and various parts of 
New Hampshire and border states were repre- 
sented by men and women of strong mental 
powers and great physical strength in this grow- 
ing settlement. Increase of population was not 
confined to immigration, children were born 
here at an early date. Inquiring and curious 



i 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM N. H 21 

minds love to penetrcate the far off past, and froin 
the gTaduaUy thickening gloom gather relics of 
bj'-gone days. However interesting recent events 
may be, tliere is a cliartu in those gieamings 
wrenched from the relentless hand of decay or 
snatched from the iron grasp of obscurity. 
Nearly a century ago there might have been seen 
in Bethlehem a lonely cabin surrounded on all 
sides by dense forests, a mere speck in that com- 
paratively unknown wilderness. There was noth- 
ing peculiar in this rude structure, being in 
material plan of make and general features 
like all cabins erected by the pioneers of civiliza- 
tion. What a scene for a painter's brush! A 
home with walls of unsmoothed logs shaped and 
fitted by the woodman's axe; the roof like the 
walls, was of rough material being made of poles 
and covered with bark in whicli might have been 
seen an uncovered spot through which the curling 
smoke might pass in its ethereal w^anderings. 
The aspect of the interior of this dwelling was 
much like the exterior, rough and unadorned; 
no carpeted floors or walls adorned with paint, 
paper or works of art, and no centre table laden 
with poems, histories or popular novels, organs 
and pianos were alike strangers in this woodland 



22 THE EARL Y HIS TOR Y OF THE 

but happy home. Now additional joy has been 
added to former hapjHuess and new jileasures 
suffuse the entire household. New hopes and 
fears have found a place in then- meditations 
and conflicting emotions reveal their existence in 
looks and actions. Welcome sights greet the 
eyes of hajDpy parents and pleasant scenes come 
like music to the ear. A babe was born, the 
child of Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Brown, whose name 
was Abigail, the first child born in this town. As 
cares and anxiety increased naturaUy the mother 
contemplated the liabilities and probable events 
that would a^ttend the progress of her little one 
from the cradle to mature years, and v/ith true 
motherly instinct she anticipated the training of 
her new charge to fill vvdth credit the responsible 
position she might be called upon to occupy in 
after-life. She hoped to bo able to impart to her 
daugliter nil the information and skill in those 
branches of industrj so necessary for women to 
have in those early times. They were expected 
to know how to convert raw material into needed 
food and clothing. A young lady that could not 
with success roast potatoes, make bean porridge 
or bake on a board before a roaring fire, a corn- 
nieal cake, or could not skillfully use the cards. 



TO WN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 23 

convert toe and flax into yarn, weave it into cloth 
and make it into garments, patch, darn, or, milk 
a cow, was regarded as having a very imperfect 
education and not prepared to cope with real 
hardships and the ever-changing fortunes of life. 

We now change locations, retaining essentially 
like scenes, and go to the cabin of Jonas Warren, 
to whom a son was born, named Otis, this was the 
first male child born in Bethlehem. With pleas- 
ure and jo^'ful anticipations those happy parents 
looked forward to the time when developed phy- 
sical strengtli and unfolded mind would lit their 
son to share in the laborious work of apiDlying 
the axe, piling logs and clearing land, be a bless- 
ing to the household and occup}^ an honorable 
position in society. New hopes cheered them in 
their daily toil and many dark clouds that skirted 
the horizon ominous of coming evil, disappeared 
before the rising sun of prosperit}^ 

Those hardy, self-denying pioneers, dwellers in 
their humble home, were destined to share the 
common lot of all our race. No constitution so 
strong or physical power so great that it will not 
yield to the great Creator's mandate. Mrs. Whip- 
ple sickened and it became apparent that she 
must soon bid farewell to loving friends, yielding 



24 THE EARL Y HISTOR Y OF THE 

to that iuherent principle of decay wlnoli is a con- 
stituent part of all organic life. The angel of 
mercy, a never-failing friend of suffering human- 
it}^ came to the afflicted famiW bringing the 
cheerful thought that the fatal moment might be 
long delayed, but hope and love could not roll 
back the gathering gloom soon to gradually deep- 
en into darkness of death. One last, lingering 
look, one more soft pressure of the hand, a faint 
" Good bye," a gasp, the heart no longer beats, 
ah is silent as death itself. She had f?one beyond, 
passing through the mystic gate to that which is 
to us comparatively unknown, we call it Eternity. 
The antagonistical principles of life and death 
had long and strenuously contended for the mas- 
tery, but the latter finally triumphed, wjiich must 
always be the result in all like conflicts. Life 
ceased to animate that once active form, death 
followed as a natural result ; life and death are 
opposite to each oth^r, death is Avhen the life that 
was, is not. 

Amid tlie wild grandeur of Nature's scenery, 
loving friends with tearful eyes and sorrowful 
hearts silently consigned the cold, inanimate 
form to the mother Earth and all that was visible 
disappeared from sight. But the invisible, that 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H. 25 

m 

impress of cliarac-ter and iniiuence left on the 
famil}' circle, and to a greater or less extent on all 
tlieir associates, can never die. Seeds of morality 
and Christianity sown b}^ an affectionate mother 
and loving- wife must silently but unceasingly 
work out their important mission, producing a 
legitimate harvest through rolling ages, and in 
that boundless expanse, that immeasurable and 
fathomless unknovv-n, that which had its begin- 
ning in a rudely constructed cabin, must con- 
tinue to fulfill its mission through the cycles of 
eternity. This was the first death in Bethlehem, 
and on a tombstone, worn by the ravages of time 
in the old burying ground on the street, are the 
following inscriptions: Mrs. Lydia Whipple, died 
March 17, 1795; Mrs. Elizabeth Warren, died 
March i\ 1797. 



t-^-. 



CHAPTER 5. 



The first inhabitants of Bethlehem shared the 
lot common to all first settlers. TJiere were cab- 
ins to be erected, a heavy growth of timiier to 
be removed and the soil to be prepared to re- 



!>(] THE EABL Y HISTOR Y OF THE 

ceive the seed. To do all this requh-ed time. As 
the annual productions of the soil for the first 
few years must necessarily have been far below 
the demand, a large portion of the food used 
must have been supplied by forest and streams, 
and when every effort had been made to secure 
suitable sustenance they were forced to live on 
humble fare and none too much of that, even 
when prepared with skill and economy by a pru- 
dent housewife. 

To be secure from cold, hunger and wild 
beasts, who were constantly on the alert to invade 
their barnyards, pigstyes and harvest grounds, 
Avas paramount. The near proximity of hunger 
was no strange thing, and strong men and wo- 
men shuddered at future prospects and increas- 
ing cold. The nearest place where grain could 
be obtained or ground into meal was in the town 
of Bath, a distance of about 25 miles from Beth^ 
lehem street. 

It was the month of June, bright stars were 
preparing to veil then- nightly splendors and ajar 
were the warning gates through which, softly 
and silently, were creeping rays of mellow light 
— harbingers of coming day — wiien a man of 
medium size, wdth a knapsack strapped to his 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H. '21 

back and trusty gun on liis shoulder, stepped 
upon the threshold of a small log cabin sur- 
rounded on all sides by primeval forests. He 
was strong and muscular, and care had left its 
mark on his honest but sunburnt face. His gar- 
ments, though made of coarse material, showed 
tlie skill of well- trained hands; his hat, though 
somewhat worn, gave evidence of having seen 
better days. He" stopped a moment, as if to 
speak to some one within, and then stepping 
forth into the open air, in a lovv' tone soliloquized 
thus: "It looks a little like rain. That belt of 
reddish (;olor stretched across the eastern sky 
foretells a change in tiie weather, or I have failed 
to read correctly signs that precede coming 
storms in this hilly region;" and then, looking in 
the opposite direction, said: '-It is a long way 
and ma}' be I shall have to come back without it, 
but I must go; I see no help for it," and started 
off in a westerly direction. With quick but steady 
steps he soon passed through the clearing that 
was before him and was lost to view in the great 
forest beyond. Guided by marked trees and 
other familiar signs, fast becoming visible by in- 
creasing dayHght, he commenced to sing, in a 
style i:>eculiar to a woodman, the folio win p-; — 



28 THE EARL Y HISTOR Y OF THE 

*' I love to roam 'mid giant trees, 
And dwell in Nature's bowers, 
With silvery streams and pure cold springs, 
Adorned with fragrant flowers. 

" I dearly love my mountain home, 
Its many cares and toils, 
1 love to fish, to pile the logs, 
And till the virgin soil. 

" I labor hard, day after day, 
Forgetful of my sorrow. 
My dreams at night are sweet with thoughts 
Of better times to-morrow. 

" The bread I eat, the bones I pick," — 



The remainder of his song was lost, for at that 
moment a noise in close proximity stopped short 
his sinp:ino-. Immediately bringing his gun to 
his shoulder, his eyes penetrating the thick 
growth of tijuber from which the noise came, he 
heard the sound fast dying out in the distance. 
He had been so absorbed is his own thoughts h< 
did not discover old Bruin, who was quietly tak- 
ing his morning nap beneath the branches of a 
stately maple and v.diose ears, being quicker than 
the woodsman's eyes, had been alarmed b}' 
strange sounds, and started off on double-quick 
time without waiting to hnd out who the intru- 
der was. 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 20 

Our hero gave one glance in the direction the 
"bear had taken, exclaiming as he did so: 



Good bye, good bye, my happy sir, 

I 'm in a hurry now. 
But we will meet some other day. 

And then I'll show you how." 



So saying, he turned and walked away, none 
the worse for his early adventure. 

Nature was in her most pleasant mood, 
clothed in her best garb and adorned in the 
most lavishing manner. Tali trees were con- 
spicuous in the broad sunlight which was pene- 
trating nook and corner and fastening itself on 
every available object; gentle zephyrs sighed in 
the thick foliage and wild flowers, catching the 
ins23iring influence, gracefully bowed their heads 
to the passing breeze, while feathered songsters 
acted a conspicuous part in filling the air with 
their sweet melodies. 

Amid such surroundings one might be led to 
exclaim: O, Nature! thou great enchantress; the 
embodiment of the visible beauty and material 
manifestations of the glory, wisdom and grand- 
eur of the Great I Am, ever directing our 



30 THE EAB.L Y HIS TOR Y OF THE 

thonglits to the vastness, incomprehensibleness 
and pov> er of the Invisible, thy Creator ! " 

On reaching the Ammonoosuc river, the sub- 
ject of our sketch crossed over on a large tree 
that connected the tv^^o banks, directing his foot- 
steps down the stream, making no stop until he 
reached the town of Lisbon; here he halted and 
seated himself at the foot of a large pine tree. 
After placing his gun in an upright position 
against the trunk of the same tree that he might 
be able to grasp it at a moment's warning and, 
removing the knapsack from his back, j^ausing a 
few minutes to rest his weary limbs and while his 
thoughts were busy about the inmates of the 
humble home he had left at early dawn, he 
opened his sack and soon had spread before him 
his humble fare, which consisted of dried meat* 
some cold potatoes and a slice of bread made of 
that obtained by sifting bran the second time, 
which he ate with a relish born of necessity and 
a keenly sharpened appetite. No murmuring 
thoughts disturbed his mind, no words of com- 
plaint escaped his Jips, but he felt very gTateful 
for this humble meal and was truly thankful that 
his condition was no worse. Having finished his 
repast and replaced his gun and knapsack, he 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H. 31 

started on liis journey and in due time reached 
his place of destination, which was the grist mill 
in the town of bath. 

The sun had passed the meridian when the 
woodsman, placmg his newly-ground grist in 
his commodious knapsack, started homeward- 
Reaching the top of a small eminence a short 
distance from the mill, he turned his head to take 
a hurried glance at the western sky, as he did so 
wdth some anxiety on his countenance, he ex- 
claimed; " I was right in my opinion this morn- 
ing about the weather; I must hasten." 7\.nd in 
another moment he was suiting actions to his 
words with increasing pace. He did not pause 
again until he reached the pine beneath whose 
shady branches he had eaten his frugal meal a 
few hours before ; here he halted to rest and take 
another survey of the heavens. 

The distant cloud that bounded liis vision at 
the time he stopped to view the sky when not far 
from the mill had so increased in size that it now 
extended to the north and south as far as the eye 
could reach and w^as high up in the heavens. 
He was about to start when a frightened rabbit 
came hopping b}', calling his attention to the 
ground, revealing the footprints of some large 



8-2 THE EARL Y HISTOR Y OF THE 

beast and his skillful eve at once told him that 
they had been made by old Bruin only a short 
time before, and which, for ought he knew, might 
at that very moment be in close proximity to 
him. 

Being in a linrry he had no time to investigate, 
and, thinking it best to postpone an interview 
with his shaggy enemy, again started homeward. 

The sweet loveliness of morning was fast dis- 
appearing, being suppressed by the more solemn 
grandeur of declining day and rapidly gather- 
ing showers, giant kings, nodded in the increas- 
ing breeze while their outstretched arms waved 
in graceful recognition of coming changes. The 
dense foliage trembled in anxious suspense, wild ' 
flowers were closing their petals while their tiny 
forms seemed to seek shelter beneath the thick 
shrubbery and interwoven, overhanging branches 
as if preparing for approaching rain and night- 
fall. The feathered tribe had retii^ed to a place 
of safety except a few .venturesome ones not car- 
ing for storms, and lovers of darkness could no^\ 
be seen on the wing enjoyhig gloom. Having 
reached the locality now the site of Littletoi 
village, our traveller recrossed the Ammoonoosu* 
at the same point and on the same tree used b; 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 33 

iiiin in the morning. Guide-marks on the trees 
were now partially obscured bv the darkness that 
covered the forest; but he had no doubt of his 
ability to move in the right direction. He had 
not proceded more than half a mile when a sud- 
den flash of lightning lit up the tree-tops and in 
a few moments a peal of thunder came rolling on 
the clouds from no great distance in a westerly 
direction. The shower was now at Haverhill and 
lashing Warren Heights with maddened fury. 
Fortunately for our traveller the shower at this 
point divided, leaving between the two parts an 
intervening space of considerable width that did 
not receive the full force of the storm. As soon 
as he became aware of this fact he felt assured 
that if he could reach home before the two di- 
visions united, which tJiey might do at some 
point to the east, all would be well. "With those 
thoughts he hastened forv/ard as fast as his 
weary limbs and the thick darkness would 
permit. 

The almost unceasing Hash of lightening whose 
light penetrated the now appalling darkness pre- 
vented him from losing his way. He had now 
reached a point about a mile fi'om home when 
he became conscious that the neutral ground 



84 THE EARL Y HIS TOE Y OF THE 

over wliicli he was passing was fast yielding to 
the powers of w^arring elements narrowing down 
to a mere line, and that he was near the spot 
where the divided shower would coalesce. 

Giant tr^es were now bending before the blast 
which threatened to uproot and prostrate their 
noble forms. The forest was stripped of its fo- 
liage and hurled in all directions, while broken 
branches filled the air with their mutilated forms. 
Great drops of rain fell thick and fast on the 
carpet of green that covered the ground. Nearer 
and nearer from either side came the unceasing 
roll of deafening thunder, while at no great dis- 
tance a blaze of light penetrated the heavens, 
showing that the electric current had split and 
ignited some large tree venerable with age. 
Howling wind, terrific thunder and wild confus- 
ion, lit up by lightning's vivid glare, all conspired 
to make more grand and sublime this mountain 
storm. 

At the moment when the warring elements 
which had been marshalling their forces for a fi- 
nal struggle, came in contact in all the madness 
of their wild fury and rain began to fall in tor- 
rents, the traveller, whom we have followed 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, K H 35 

through the day, entered the humble cabin from 
which he came at early dawn. 

Benjamin Brown had returned to cheer an 
anxious wife with his presence as well as with the 
meal made from a i^eck of corn, which cost its 
market price at the grist mill in Bath and a jour- 
ney of fifty miles. 

Fanciful as it may seem, kind reader, that one 
would journey on. foot a distance of fifty miles 
to obtain the meal of a peck of corn, neverthe- 
less, it is true, as persons will testify who were 
born here or came with their parents to mingle 
with the trying scenes of pioneer life, who are 
now venerable with age. The contrast between 
a life in Bethlehem as it then was and now is, 
being so great and the time between the two so 
long that w^e cannot full}' realize the dangers and 
great hardships surrounding every-day life and 
connected with every transaction pertaining to a 
home in a vast wilderness. The real struggle to 
sustain life in the cheapest and most simple way 
and in every manner their ingenious minds could 
devise, so familiar to them are to us unknown, 
and as we read the records of those far off days 
we have only a slight conception of w^hat the 
reality must have been. 



3C THE EABL Y HISTOB Y OF THE 

CHAPTER 6. 



Names and worthy deeds of those who figured 
so conspicuously in their sphere of action are 
rapidly becoming obscured by gathering gloon: 
that follows in the footsteps of adyancing time 
Not only are names and deeds lost to memory 
but those marks of respect erected to show the 
exact spot, the last resting place of loved one? 
are fast disappearing before the merciless j^owei 
of unyielding fate. Not many years hence 
names, deeds, and once sacred graves will all be 
forgotten, and feet of careless strangers wil" 
thoughtlessly press the grQuncl where once greAA 
the fragrant flowers planted by loving hands and 
watered by many tears of sorrow. "When i 
knowledge of those worthy sons and daughters 
fathers and mothers, husbands and wives who sc 
patiently and heroically endured the hardship? 
and braved the dangers of a wilderness lionn 
shall have lost its place in memor}^ and all his 
toric record of them become obsolete, the lasi 
epitaph obliterated by the march of time, anc 
the headstone which has stood so many years at 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 37 

a faithful seiitiDel to guard the sacred spot shall 
cease to be; then will all record of them be buried 
forever in the darkness of oblivion. Inscriptions 
may become illegible, the plain uncarved stone, 
the marble slab engraved by skillful hands, and 
costly monumental piles will crumble and pass 
away, but influence never dies; and wdio can tell 
to what extent those influences that germinated 
in those early cabins are interwoven in the des- 
tiny of our town ? Notwithstanding the untold 
hardships and many sufferings the iirst tillers of 
the soil enjo^^ed life. The causes that would le- 
gitimately produce happiness existed within 
themselves; coming from the land of the de- 
scendants of the Pilgrims they possessed many of 
those qualities characteristic of the Pilgrim Fa- 
thers. They were an honest, industrious people, 
applying all their energies to the accomplishing 
of laudable objects and contented with the lot 
they had chosen, they cheerfully performed their 
daily labor. Peaceful and quiet were their hours 
of slumber, undisturbed by those frightful de- 
mons that might arise from idleness, overeating 
too richl}" prepared food, or a conscience dis- 
turbed by many crimes. Not that this people 
were perfect, but they had good intentions, de- 



88 THE EARL Y HIS TOE Y OF THE 

siring to know their duty and then to do it. 
They had strong minds and positive convic- 
tions, teaching their children that strict integrity, 
good habits, industry and economy were essen- 
tial to success. A spirit of true friendship en- 
tered largely into the makeup of their hap2:)iness. 
Not a friendship that blossomed in prosperity 
and vanished on the first indication of adversity, 
that exhausted itself in sympathetic expressions 
and flattering words, but a friendship that 
bloomed in poverty and sorrow, that shone most 
conspicuously where it was most needed in the 
darkest hours of life. If one of their numbe 
was sick or by accident disabled the nei<:^hboi 
v/ould all go and do him a substantial kindnes 
in cutting wood, sowing the seed, or gathering i 
his harvest. A knowledge of this fact was 
powerful element in their every day life, for the, 
were confident that if they or their's should b 
unfortunate neither of them would suffer or di 
of starvation, if the others could prevent it, ant 
this feeling , of security kept from their mind 
those fearful thoughts that otherwise would de 
stroy present happiness and bJight their fondes 
hopes. Sociability was an important factor i; 
their eventful lives. When, at times, weary an^ 



TO WN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 39 

despondent from mam^ cares and heavy burdens, 
as any mortal would be in like circumstances, the 
social element would come to their rescue, like 
the green oasis to a weary traveller in a barren 
land, or when fear for a moment would reign su- 
preme and their frail bark seemed to be at the 
mercy of every rolhng wave on life's stormy sea, 
a social chat would be to them like a fertile gem 
in mid ocean to .the storm-tossed mariner. Its 
influence had a power for good on the minds of 
that overtasked people. It would calm their 
tears, dispel their gloom and reinstate those 
bright gems — Hope, Confidence, and Cheerful- 
ness — in their proper places. To be social was 
not an exception but the general rule. When 
or where they met, whether by appointment, in- 
vitation or othermse, in field, forest, or at th^ 
hearthstone in their humble dwellings, the glad- 
ness expressed on their countenances and warm 
grasp of the hand (not the tij) of the fingers), 
were conclusive proof of the existence of warm 
hearts and true, loving sympathy. Together 
they toiled and lived in the bonds of real friend- 
ship, sharing each other's joys and sorrows. Un- 
like those societies of to-da^^ the germ of which 
' was planted one hundred years ago, tliat little 



40 THE EARL Y HIST OR Y OF THE 

settlement had no castes or dividing lines. No 
money-grasping misers, rich in land, stock and 
government bonds to domineer; no self-con- 
ceited petty tyrant to look upon the honest la- 
boring class as mud-sills of society; no idlers in- 
fested those industrious homes. No dandy, with 
artificial polish, his lily-white hands covered with 
fancy colored kid gloves and clothed in all the 
styles belonging to his kind, was present to live 
on the earnings of honest toil, there being no 
necessity for that class of men. 

This secluded settlement had not only the ele- 
ments essential to happiness and development 
but they were fi'ee from those counteracting in- 
fluences to which thickly settled localities are 
subjected. 

CHAPTER 7. 



The desire to acquire and enjoy homes of their 
own being inherent in human nature, was as 
strong with our ancestors as with this generation 
and the necessity of marriage relations in ac- 



i> 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H. 41 

eDiiiplisliing' the desired object was as great then 
as now, and the circumstances under whi(5h love- 
making ccnmienced and ended in matrimonial 
bonds were as varied in the days when our nar- 
. iTive commences as in futui'e times. 

in the spring time of 17(J0, in the tovrn of Bar- 
i^irdston, in the state of Maine, at early dawn 
u man might have been seen coming from the 
uwelling which had been his place of abode, 
iae was of medium size and well porportioned 
with a build that showed him capable of physical 
endurance, unmarried and about 28 years of age. 
He had brown hair, blue eyes, a frank oj)cn 
countenance in whose general features were dis- 
tinctly seen strength of purpose and ujind, intel- 
ligence and good character. AVith a large pack 
on his back, — as if exj^ecting a long journey, — 
and firm step, the subject of our nairativo 
walked on in the direction of his destination, 
and in due time reached the town of Hanover. 
It was one of those lovely days characteristic of 
New England spring-time; not a cloud to be 
seen, and the air was soft and delightful. The 
king of day was lavish in bestowing its clie^rful 
influence^ on the ah'eady changing aspects of na- 
ture, vegetation was awaking fi'om its long inuc- 



42 THE EARL Y HISTOR Y OF THE 

tive coudition to begin anew a career of progress 
and unfolding, while beasts and birds alike 
showed that tliev, too, were receiving inspiration 
from the loveliness of the heavens. It was past 
mid-day, the sun was silenthv but rapidly nearing 
its destination to shine in all its magniticent 
splendor in the far off western sky ; but our trav- 
eller took no note of swiftl}^ passing time, being 
absorbed in a line of thought in which he was 
deeply interested, involving, as it did, his future 
happiness and plan of action. Being unmarried 
and having a practical turn of mind, he naturall}' 
took a common-sense view of whatever he wished 
to accomplish, which v>'ould direct his medita- 
tions thus: 

'• I will thoroughly examine the locality and if 
half be true that has been reported of it, I in- 
tend to make a permanent home in that land ofj 
promise; but a good home, such as I contemplatejj 
means a great deal and to obtain such an one 
large amount of work must be done, — a heav}'' 
growth of timber removed, land cleared, seed 
sown and harvest gathered; also a barn and 
cabin must be created. Wellj I think I can do 
all of this, for I am satisfied that my mind and 
body are equal to the emergency. 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 48 

" But this is not all tnat is needed to make a 
liapx^y home. I shall want a partner for life, 
a companion to cheer me in mv lonely hours, to 
speak ^Yords of comfort and encouragement in 
times of adversity. I shall need, yes, need, — for 
it is no boyish fancy, — a wife to care for those 
things pertaining to the inside of my cabin, and 
a loving heart and willing hands to administer to 
me in times of sickness. Yes, this is reasonable. 
I must have a wife I " , 

But, at this point his line of thought was in- 
terrupted by an impression on his mind, received 
through the medium of that unseen, mysterious 
teJegTapiiic communication that connects mind 
with mind, which caused him to look up. xVs he 
did so he saw at once the author of the dispatch, 
that a moment before had disturbed him in his 
reveries. It was a female whose eyes were fixed 
intent upon him. The instant our hero saw the 
lady she turned her head, as though unconscious 
of the near proximity of a stranger, and this 
quick movement of our heroine might have de- 
ceived the stranger had it not been for a deep 
blush that mantled her fair face and the evidence 
it gave. In an instant, with true womanly sa- 
gacity, she put on an unconcerned air moving 



44 THE EARL Y HISTORY OF THE 

slowly on, as though the incident had not oc- 
curred. She was mounted on horseback and 
riding down a cross-road, the junction of which 
to the more jmblic highway, was only a few rods 
distant. She had been to visit friends and was 
returning home, — was plainly but neatly attired, 
rode gracefully, and the manner she managed 
the spirited beast showed that she was well 
skilled in the art of horsemanship, which was not 
an uncommon thing in those early times. 

What the feelings of a man would be to have a 
beautiful female spring up in his pathway, as if 
by magic power, at the very moment when he 
had just decided that he must have a wife and 
for aught he knew may have spoken his thoughts 
so loudly as to be distinctly heard by his fair 
friend, can be better imagined by the reader than 
described by a pen. 

In a few minutes the two strangers met face to 
face, at the intersecting point of the roads and 
in a gentlemanly manner he saluted her, in the 
style peculiar to the times, and she returned the 
salutation in a graceful wa}' with a genteel bow. 

At first the two inclined to be reticent, arising 
on the one side from modesty and her peculiar 
situation, on the other from an inclination not to 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 45 

be too formal with strangers: but, as they jour- 
neyed on together (for they were gomg the 
same way,) this failing, as if by mutual consent, 
gave place to pleasant conversation. 

The lady, with that instinctive quickness pe- 
culiar to woman, soon felt assured of the good 
character and noble qualities of this handsome 
stranger, and the sequel showed that she was 
correct in her hasty conclusions. 

Having formed a favorable opinion of this 
young man her sympathy for him was at once 
arous( d; having a kind disposition and willing to 
practice the golden rule, " Do unto others as 
you would have them do to you." 

She generously offered to take his pack, which 
offer he readily accepted for his load grew heav- 
ier as the day neared its close, and the pack 
which he had carried from early dawn was de- 
posited on the back of the horse in care of his 
interesting companion. 

Then and there was an opportunity for the ri- 
der to betray the man who had shown such con- 
fidence in her by giving loose rein to the fleet- 
footed beast, leaving the stranger minus his 
knapsack. But he had no fears of that and there 
was no necessity of any. 



46 THE EARL Y HISTOR Y OF THE 

Being a close observer of human nature he 
unhesitatingly came to the conclusion that his 
female friend was a superior woman in point of 
intelligence and those qualifications that make 
woman truly noble, and in after life she proved 
to him that he did not overestimate her real 
value. 

The rays of the setting sun now lingei'ed on 
the summit of distant hills, as if unwilling to 
take a final departure, but only for a moment, 
for twilight soon claimed the right to exhibit her 
beauty and loveliness, as the mellow light that 
follows closing day began to disappear before the 
coming shroud of night. 

She halted before the door of a neat looking 
cottage, at the same time informing her friend 
that this was her home and that he could stay all 
night with the famiJ}', if he choose. Being un- 
der the necessity of securing lodgings soon, as 
da^dight was now gone, and confident that the 
accommodations would be satisfactory, he ac- 
cepted the invitation and walked in. 

On the morrow he started on his journey. 

The name of this lady was Parker, her husband 
having previously died leaving two children 
The name of the sfentleman was James Turner. 



TO WN OF BETHLEHElM, N. H. 47 

The acquaintance which commenced at the 
junction of the two roads finally ended in mar- 
riage relations. 

Mr. Turner reached Lloyd's Hill without any 
adventure worth revealing, and liking the j)lace 
soon began work. 

He was the third permanent settler in Bethle- 
hem. 

He worked on his land through the season, 
returning to Massachusetts to spend the coldest 
pai-t of the winter, coming back in the spring to 
resume his labor. This course he followed for 
two or three years, not forgetting to patronize 
the house where he found such good accommo- 
dations and pleasant society on a former occa- 
sion, in the town of Hanover. 

When all was ready Mr. Turner was married 
to Mrs. Parker and went to reside at the new 
home in Bethlehem, and the cabin was now made 
pleasant and cheerful (of which Mr. Turner was 
thinking at the junction of the two roads on a 
former occasion,) by the presence of the fair 
stranger who generously carried for him his well 
filled knapsack. 

His union with Mrs. Parker was one of the 
most fortunate transactions of his eventful life, 



48 THE EAEL Y HISTOR Y OF THE 

while his wife found a husband worthy to hold 
that relation with a truly noble woman. 

Mrs. Turner was a blessing to not only her 
own household but the whole settlement. Her 
skill in horseback ridino-. which she acquired be- 
fore her last marriage, to which v/e have already 
alluded, was of great advantage to her in the 
new condition of things in which she was placed, 
and the little community where she resided, for, 
there being no practising physician at hand, Mrs. 
Turner, for a period of a number of years, — 
whenever necesity required it, and that was 
fi'equently, — mounted a horse, took her saddle- 
bags of medicines and visited the sick, acting the 
part of nurse and doctress. Though not a reg- 
ular physician, she did good service, being ac- 
quainted with the medicinal cjualities of many 
articles. By daylight and in darkness, in sun- 
shine and storm, she hovered like an angel of 
mercy about the bed of the suffering; her com- 
ing always was greeted with dehght. The sun- 
light that beamed from her countenance, the 
kind words she spoke and the hope inspired in 
her suffering patients, rendered her an object of 
respect and love by all who needed her assist- 
ance. 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H. 49 

Alfcliough contented with lier new place of 
abode Mrs. Turner was much attached io the 
many kind friends at Hanover whom she had 
left behind, to share with her husband the rude- 
ly constructed cabin in the bowers of nature. 
As difficult as was a long arduous journey to 
her former home and old associates, she was 
equal to the emergency and was permitted to 
behold again those many objects and friends so 
interesting and familiar to her in former times. 

But how unlike the mode of travel then to that 
of to-day ! Now the roads from Betlilehem street 
to Hanover are comparatively good and with a 
covered buggy, constiiicted in modern style, 
dra^\Ti by spirited horses, one can pass to and 
from those two places with ease and comfort ; or, 
if one chooses to go by rail, he can go and return 
the same day, eating breakfast and supper at his 
own table. But the mode of travelling by the 
early settlers of this town was on foot guided by 
marked trees, on horseback, or with an ox team. 
In the last mentioned way Mr. and Mrs. Turner 
made tliree visit to Hanover, she, on one of these 
occasions, carrying in her arms a babe six weeks 
old. 



50 THE EAULY NISTOMY OF THE 

With the present facilities for journeying the 
mother of to-day can hardly realize the fatigue 
and weariness of a journey Avith an infant in her 
arms on an ox s'ed, of fi'om 140 to 200 miles, 
as was the case with those kind but resolute and 
energetic mothers who lived in those early times, 
in respect to danger, toil and suffering, we really 
know but little. 

Although much might truthfully be said in re- 
lation to those noble women who acted so con- 
spicuous a part in planting the germ of civiliza- 
tion in our beautiful highland home, yet we have 
no doubt but that the mothers and daughters of 
Bethlehem to-day would have, had they lived in 
those early times, as faithfully fulfilled their mis- 
sion. 

But the circumstances that necessitated some 
of the education and practical training of the 
times of which we write have passed away and 
disappeared before development and progress. 
The women of to-day can wdth honor and credit 
fill the places allotted them by the great change 
in surrounding circumstances holding in grateful 
remembrance the worthy deeds and good quali- 
ties of their own sex, who have preceded them. 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H. 51 
CHAPTER 8. 



The first manner of goino- to mill was on foot 
with grist on their backs; the next was to put the 
grain on the back of steers, walking by their 
side. But, at the time of which Ave write, some 
used sleds. 

Early one morning in spring-time James Tur- 
ner staited for Bath to mill, with a yoke of wide- 
awake steers and sled. The morning was warm 
and pleasant, teamster and team were in good 
spirits and ready for the journey. AYith an oc- 
casional " Whoa boys ! " the sled moved brisldy 
on. 

While Mr. Turner was making good progress, 
omens of a gathering stoim was seen in the heav- 
ens; a gentle breeze from the south sighed among 
the branches of leafless tree-tops, and dark clouds 
wandered here and there, as if on some aerial 
mission, like scouts on an advancing host, while 
the wind as if inspii-ed by knowledge of coming 
events moved with increasing vigor amid the vis- 
ible, craggy peaks of neighboring mountains, a 
)">rolude to a warm rain and coming- thaw. 



52 THE EARLY HTSTOBY OF THE 

Mr. Turner was a.cquainted with these sigiif 
and understood then* impoii. He knew that i: 
the storm should burst in its fuiy before he coulc 
recross the Ammonoosuc on his way home, h( 
mif>ht find himself surrounded with unpleasant 
and dangerous circumstances and, with hope anc 
fear each in turn filling his mind, he made hi^ 
way as fast as possible to his place of destination 
which he reached without unnecessary dela}^ oi 
serious accident. 

When everything was in readiness he stai-ted 
homeward. The atmosphere was now quite 
warm, with an increasing southerly wind and co- 
pious fall of rain. The snow was rapidly disap- 
pearing and soon water began to cover the ice ir 
the river. He saw the danger and knew that his 
safety dei:)ended on the speed of his team. Sooe 
an additional noise startled him, not because ii 
was so loud or frightful, but it revealed the fac^ 
that jack frost was forced to succumb. The ice 
in the river was preparing to break, but at tht 
same time he was aware that the catastrophe' 
must necessarily be delayed for awhile. 

The team received new impulse from the earn 
est tone of the teamster's voice, and all shared ii 
the increasiuGf excitement. 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 53 

Faster went the steers, quicker and louder 
came the sound of breakinpf ice which finally 
mingled with a roar and a sound of rushing wa- 
tei-s. Glancing backward his quick eye compre- 
hended at once his true situation. A shoit dis- 
tance below him the river had become obstnicted, 
turning the ice and water into the road only a 
a few rods in his rear, and it was rapidly ap- 
proaching to a dangerous proximity. It was now 
a race for life The roaring waters and mingling 
sounds of roaring elements so terrified the ah 
ready much excited steerS; that they strained 
every nei^e to escape the jaws of death that were 
opened wide to receive them. The water, as if 
infuriated by its own exeriions, receiring an im- 
petus from the prospects of soon engulphing 
every object in its pathway, now increased in 
sound, volume, and rapidity of movement. \\Tiile 
the manly foim of Mr. Turner might have been 
seen as, in a voice distinctly heard above the con- 
fused mass of mingling sounds, he cheered his 
cattle on. It was a moment of great anxiety, for 
in that short space of time would be decided the 
question of Hfe or death. Could they reach a 
point but a few rods distant all would be well, as 
at that place the gi-ound began gradually to rise. 



54 THE EAllL Y HISTOR Y OF THE 

A misstep of one of the steers and ail would be 
lost. No accident occuiTed; tliey were saved, 
and at nightfall he reached the usual place of 
crossing at the point now covered by Littleton 
village. 

The river was so swollen he did not think it 
advisable to attempt to cross. There was one 
cabin in that locality, occupied by the family of 
one Mr. Mann, with whom he staid all night, as 
he could proceed no further. 

Mr. Mann informed Mr. Turnpr that he could 
stop with them, but there was nothing whatever 
for his team and that they were but little better 
off in the house for anything to eat. He rei^lied, 
that while he stayed he would furnish meal fi'om 
his grist for them all, which he gladly did, but 
the steers had no supper, as they refused to eat 
meal. 

Early the following morning he succeeded in 
getting his team to the opposite shore, by stand- 
ing on the bank and driving it through the wa- 
ter. They, at first, were not inclined to go, but 
after a while the object was accomplished. 

This part of his plan being executed, he at 
once began to carry out the remainder of his 
programme, which was to connect the two banks 



TOWN OF BETHLEHE31 N. H. 55 

with some tall tree that might stand near the 
water's edge, on which to cross the sw'ollen 
stream. Taking his axe he soon found one 
which he thought to be of sufficient length for 
the use he intended it. Quick and hard came 
the strokes of the axe, given with a will and by 
his strong vigorous arm, and soon this forest son 
came down with a crash into the surging water; 
but to his surprise it lacked much of reaching 
the opposite shore. He went further down the 
stream, made another selection wdiich in due 
time shared the fate of the other tree, and again 
Mr. Turner was disappointed. As he followed 
the downward course of the river stroke after 
stroke, crash after crash might have been heard, 
and thus the day — hour by hour — wore away, 
and when the garments of night began to clothe 
the face of nature with gathering gloom, his ob- 
ject was not accomphshed, and with no better 
prospects of reaching home than on the previous 
evening. 

On returning to the crossing he found the 
steers had, some time during the da^^, recrossed 
the river and were now on the same side as 
himself and, as a matter of necessity, he stayed 
the second night at Mr. Mann's cabin. 



56 THE EARL Y HISTOR Y OF THE 

Early the next morning he went two miles 
down the river, to Mr. Hoskins's, and procured 
a bundle of hay for his team and then employed 
his time as he had done the day before and 
night-fall found him again at his humble lodging 
place. 

But Mr. Turner was not the man to get dis- 
couraged and wait for something favorable to 
occur; like Napoleon, he believed in creat- 
ing cii'cumstances; so, early the folloAving morn- 
ing our hero, with his purpose unchanged, went 
to work hopeful and with his usual determination 
to succeed. 

At a point about three miles below the cross- 
ing he fortunately succeeded in connecting the 
two banks, as a reward for his perseverance. 
His next move was to go to Mr. Hoskins's, whom 
he found at home, and engaged him to drive the 
team through the water while he (Turner) would 
cross on the tree and be ready to take the steers 
as they reached the shore. 

After some delay a crossing was effected and 
Mr. Turner and team reached home without any 
furiher adventure, minus his sled and grist, 
which he left at Mr. Mann's, to return and get as 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 57 

soon as the water should subside sufficiently 
to make the undei-taking safe. 



..^>:;h^:=<<— 



CHAPTER 9. 



The first settlers of Bethlehem were subjected 
to the same inconvenience as all otliers under 
like circumstances. They had no enclosed 
grounds in which to pasture their cows and so 
were compelled to turn them loose in the woods, 
without bounds or limitations to roam at pleas- 
ure where they would. The hunting of cows in 
a dense wilderness is not much like travelling for 
delinquent ones in an enclosed field. To loose a 
cow in the boundless forest in those days meant 
a great deal. The loss of the milk to the family 
was keenly felt, for they placed much reliance on 
the daily produce of the cow to supply them 
food in its season. It meant great anxiety on the 
part of the owner, as to the length of time be- 
fore she could be found, or whether she would 
ever be recovered; and, if she was, might it not 
be that the milk would cease to flow and they be 



58 THE EABLY BISTOBY OF THE 

deprived of any fui'tlier benefit Ji'oni that source. 

To illustrate the ineonvenience of keeping 
stock to which the early pioneers were necessari- 
ly subjected, we give some facts relative to a 
genuine cow hunt. 

Mr. Turner and Mr. Oakes had each a cow that 
ran together in the woods, coming home together 
at night, as a general rule; but, on one occasion, 
neither came and it being so near dark only a 
sliglit effori was made to find them that night. 
On the following morning, just at peep of day, 
Mr. Turner took his tiiisty gun and started out 
to search for the missing beasts. He w^ent first 
to those places he thought most likely they would 
be, but to his surprise no trace of them could be 
found. During the first part of the day he con- 
fined his researches to those locahties which he 
knew to be sometimes fi*equented by the cows; 
disappointed at not finding them, about noon he 
sat down to rest beneath the thick branches of a 
stately tree. Not expecting to be gone so long 
from home he had not taken the precaution to 
bring any food with him and having no dinner to 
eat and becoming somewhat anxious about the 
situation of things, he only stopped a short time. 
He now took a course that led him far from fa- 



I 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 59 

miliar scenes, examining* every spot where it was 
possible for the objects of his seai'ch to leave 
some trace of themselves had they passed that 
way, eyeing sharply the ground, taking notice of 
thing's and flowers, hoj^ing to And some evidence 
of their whereabouts by the sides of brooks and 
streamlets, on high ground and in valleys. He 
continued to search until the rapidly setting sun 
admonished him that the inmates of his humble 
cabin would have fears that he was lost and he 
must return. 

But all in vain. Night was fast covering the 
face of nature with its solemn gi'andeur, when 
Mr. Turner reached his home and reported the 
unfavorable results of the daj^'s labor to his 
waiting, anxious wife. 

After a consultation had been held between 
the two in relation to what was best to be done 
under the circumstances, it was unanimously 
agreed that the search must be continued. 

On the following morning Mr. Turner asain 
started to hunt for the cows, being careful this 
time to take something for a lunch; penetrating 
deeper into the dense growth of timber than on 
the previous day, squirrels chattered, partridges 
gazed intently but shyly from some secluded cov- 



r>0 THE EABLY HISTOBY OF THE 

ert on the strange looking intruder and a deer 
bounded past him with an expression in his looks 
that showed <'onclusively that a human being- 
had never before crossed his pathw^ay and old 
bruin, as if imwilling to form an acquaintance 
with a strange being of whose strength he had 
no knowledge and did not care to know, acted 
as though he considered prudence the better part 
of valor, kept out of the reach of the intruder's 
gun, keeping a shai-p lookout at a respectful and 
safe distance. 

Noon came, but the cows had not been found, 
and seating himself in a celling shade in close 
proximity to a cold crystal spring he ate in a 
huriy, but with good relish, his humble meai. 

Having stopped al^out fifteen minutes he again 
started, uj) and down, over and under liuge trees 
uprooted by some wild mountain storm, through 
thickets and plats of tall weeds and gi-ass, through 
and around bog-holes he directed his footsteps, 
looking for some sign, occasionally calling loudly 
to the objects of his search, but he saw no token 
of their presence and the echo of his own voice 
was the only reply. 

In this manner the second day of the hunt 
was spent and at nightfall he returned liomt^ to 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 61 

again report a failure. Thus for nine days Mr. 
Turner continued to hunt for the cows. On his 
return home at the close of the ninth day's search 
with his usual report of " can 't find them," Mr. 
and Mrs. Turner held another counsel, in which 
the matter was thoroughly re-examined and dis- 
cussed and the conclusion reached was; "The 
cows must be found, dead or alive I " 

Some time during the evening the owner of 
the other cow, Mr. Oakes, came in and said he 
would accompany Mr. Turner in the search on 
the following morning, which he did. 

The reader will doubtless be curious to know 
why Mr. Oakes seemed to take so little interest 
in the matter, and it is but doing justice to him 
that we give the reasons for his apparent indifter- 
rcnce. The fact that he was very busy in other 
matters, besides that his cow did not give milk, 
and not being particular where she was if out of 
mischief and danger, and doing well, which he 
was satisfied was the case with her, — -provided 
that she would return home w^hen he had need 
of her, about w^hich he felt but little misgivings. 
Knowing full well that she must be somewhere in 
the big pasture caused him to wait and see wliat 
would be the result of Mr. Turner's efforts. 



G2 THE EARL Y HISTOR Y OF THE 

Early next morning, which was the tenth day 
of the hunt, both men with their guns and an 
ample supply of provisions, started for the woods, 
and on reaching it the}' held a consultation as to 
the best way of procedure. It was finally de- 
cided to go to the Ammonoosuc River, at some 
point near what is now known as McGregory 
Hollow. Soon after reaching the point desig- 
nated, they found signs of cattle hn,ving been 
there the niglit previous. 

Being satisfied that the object of their search 
could not be far away they found the trail and 
hurried on, and fortunately they soon f(uind their 
cows; seemingly contented and api^arently none 
the worse for their vvanderings, and the two men 
returned home with their runaway j^roperty and 
with lighter hearts than when they started at 
early dawn. 

Under the skillful treatment of Mrs. Turner, 
to the surprise of all concerned, their cow was 
restored to her former usefulness, yielding her 
usual amount of milk. 



TOWN OF IlETHLEHEM N. II. G3 



CHAPTER 9. 



The wild beasts, which at first were shy, grew 
bolder as they became more and better ac- 
quainted with the sights and sounds of civihza- 
tion. The early settlers not only made good and 
effectual use of their trusty guns to rid them- 
selves of those troublesome enemies, but they 
had a cheap and efficient mode of catching bears 
in traps. 

This trap was in form very much like a ligure 
4, with the top parts intersecting. It consisted 
of an upright standard of sufficient length to 
leave room for the bear to enter. This piece of 
wood was placed in a perpendicular position on 
and near the end of a large log. Another 
piece was placed, on tie tojD of this upright stand- 
ard, projecting beyond two feet, more or less; 
the other end pointing downward at an angle of 
about 45 degrees, of sufficient lengih to coiTes- 
pond with i\\€i general plan of the trap, the end 
being fashioned wedge-like. A long stick, in the 
side of which and near the end a notch was cut. 



G4: THE EARL Y lUSTOR Y OF THE 

in which was placed the lower end of tie top- 
piece of limber. This long stick was placed a- 
long-side of the upright standard at about half 
way between its ends at which point a notch was 
to lit one in the long sticls; on the end of this 
spindle (long stick) the bait was fastened. When 
all things were made ready they proceeded to set 
the machine. The framework was put together 
and held in position by one man, (it requiring 
more than one to set up a large one,) while 
another completed the work. This w^as done by 
placing one end of a large log on the projecting 
end of the top piece of timber, the other end 
resting on the bottom leg, the bait being turned 
inward, so that the bear could not reach it unless 
his head was beyond and toward the inside of 
the two logs, it being so arranged that he could 
not reach it from the l^ack side. 

This trap was sprung by bearing down on the 
bait sufficiently hard to unfasten the spindie on 
the upright piece, which the bear would do in re- 
moving the bait, when the top log would fall on 
bruin with crushing weight and he be made to suf- 
the extreme penalty for his reckless disregard of 
civilization. 



TOWN OF JiETHLEHEM, X. K (35 

lu this ^vay Mr. Turner cauglit iiiaiiy of liis 
shaggy foes. 

In the fall of the rear he set one of these 
traps ill the woods near a piece of grain to which 
his son Tiniothv, on one fine afternoon was sent 
to reap. He did as was directed and labored 
without any interruption until a noise in the 
woods not far distant, attracted his attention. 
The heavy tread and cracking of dried branches 
convinced j oung Timothy (being a small lad) that 
a large bear was not many rods distant. His 
fears were strong, but the necessity of staying to 
cut the grain was stronger, so he worked and 
watched till it was time to return to the house 
which he did much quicker than he had been in 
the habit of doing, and immediately made a re- 
poii of what he had heard while at work in the 
field. 

The father was satisfied that it was a bear that 
had made the noise and remembering his plan, 
started out to investigate, and on reaching the 
spot he found bruin fast is his trap. 

On one occasion a bear had remained so long 
in the trap that it could not be disposed of in 
the usual manner. So Mr. Turner concluded to 
give it to his hogs, he having a number of them 



(j(> tul: eauly histuhy of the 

at thai time, and lie proceeded at once to carry 
ills plan into execution by throwing the meat 
into the yard where he kept his swine; but, to 
his astonishment, instead of its being received 
with gladness, it disturbed their equanimity. 
They showed their displeasure, first, by sly locks 
and low grunts, which increased in dimensions 
until every hog seemed to be doing his very best 
to increase the uproar and contusion, — running, 
jamping, and squealing as if impelled by an un- 
seen power. Crazed by fright, and mad — i'rantic 
from their own unearthly noise — they, as if by 
mutual agreement, decided to leave that terrible 
place and bursting through the strong fence that 
surroundt d the enclosure, scattered in all direc- 
tions. 

It was now Mr. Turner's time to be alanned 
for the safety of his valuable property, for there 
was great danger that they might take to the 
woods and escape beyond the power of recovery, 
but by much coaxing and labor they were all 
restored to their proper place and usu^d quiet- 
ness again jorevailed runong the inmates of Mr. 
Turner's hog-yard. 

But one thing is certain, his hogs never liad 
another opportunity to dine on bear meat. 



TOWN OF BETHLFAiEM, N. H. 07 

There is an incident connected with one of his 
log bear traps which is worth i-elating, l)ecaiise 
of the moral lesion it teaches. 

An ohl fox in his rambUngs chanced one day 
to be rusticating in that vicinity and, illured by 
the tempting bait, he thought it a good time to 
lunch; so, after closely scrutinizing the locality, 
his foxshij) walked leisurely in and helped him- 
self. The bait l^eing turned so far inward and 
the fox so much smaller than a l:)ear that when 
in a position to dine he was beyond harm, being 
to the one side of the trap. He was enjoying his 
meal with a good relish when, evidently, the trap 
was on the point of springing, when seeing the 
motion of the top log (being on the alert for mis- 
chief,) he started to retrace his steps and reached 
the fatal i^^oi just in time to receive the full force 
of the descending, crushing weight. 

Had he quietly remained and finished his re- 
past he might have left the spot unharmed and 
with a satisfied appetite have gone on his way 
rejoicing. 

Moral: Acting from impulse, minus judgment, 
may bring fatal results, and there is sucli a thin.e 
as beino- too smart. 



fiS THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER 10. 



One of the many ills to which flesli is heir to, 
is, methinks, the toothache. AVho can desciibe 
it, ov to what can it be Ukenecl ? What language 
can be found that will truthfully convey the real 
feelings of the unpleasant suilererV One who 
never experienced its effect, both on the mind 
and body, is not qualified to give an authorized 
opinion on the subject. As a general rule it has 
no respect of person. From the highest officer 
in the government down to tlie lowest serf or most 
degraded beggar, it makes its nnwelcome visits 
sooner or later and on that dreadful occasion the 
general expression is, '* Oh ! how my tooth does 
ache.'' Sometimes the pain continues as if having 
no dis2:)Osition to stop or in no hurrv' to cease tor- 
menting its victim, again as if to make haste and 
bring matters to a speedy close or to try its pow- 
er in another form the pain comes amd goes by 
jumps. Its effect on different dispositions is tru- 
ly surprising, for tlie best of people with a mild 
and gentle te'^nper may lose their equanimity of 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 69 

mind, but what shall be said of the heritable and 
fractious ? Only this: It certainly makes no visi- 
ble improvement on then- use of language, man- 
ners or general deportment. It is not for us to 
investigate the cause of the various kinds and 
form of toothaches, but only state the fact that 
Mr. Turner had the toothache in its worst and 
most pei-plexing manner, and if he would have 
the trouble removed by having the diseased part 
extracted, three conditions munt be complied with: 
a disposition to go, sufficient time in which to go, 
and then to go and have it taken out. 

The point of time in which everything was in 
readiness for the operation was in the middle of 
the night, and surely the aspect seemed gloomy 
enough — toothache withm and inky darkness 
without^ — which circumstances did not conspire 
to make him hopeful, or his prospective journey 
cheerful or pleasant. 

Taking a blazing torch, to prevent his losing 
his way, he was soon on his mission, the object- 
ive point being a house on West Hill, where re- 
sided a man who sometimes acted the part of the 
dentist. His instruments were of the most ap- 
proved ancient style, the modern instruments in 
dentistry not being in use. 



70 THE EARL Y HIS TOR Y OF THE 

The torch which Mr. Turner carried was not 
only of service to him in directing his footsteps 
but it kept the wild inmates of the forest at a 
proper distance. So deep was the darkness 
that his glaring light hardly penetrated the thick 
gloom, beyond his immediate presence. The 
movement of the light showed that though care- 
ful as he endeavored to be, he would frequently 
step from the path to one side or the other, and 
its unsteady motion revealed the fact that the toe 
of his boot now and then came in contact with 
some unseen obstacle — a protruding stump of 
some small sapling or treacherous projecting 
root. ' 

Under these vexed circumstances our hero was 
slowly but surely making progress westward with 
that mental activity natural to one in like condi- 
tion, his thoughts and feeJings occasionally finding 
vent in expressions hke the following: "How mv 
tooth aches ! hope I shall find him at home." 
Just at this moment an inquisitive owl, perched 
on an old stub in close proximity, being disturb- 
ed in his midnight reveries by the glaring torch 
and, as if catching the last words of the in- 
truder — " find him at home ! " — and curious to 
know who this " him " was with whom this stran- 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H. 71 

ger could have business at the hour of midnight, 
unceremoniously disturbed the pei-vading solem- 
nity of the night by making the forest echo, 
"Who, who, who, who!" 

This night bird continued to repeat his saucy 
question, while Mr. Turner as persistently refused 
to notice the interrogator, his mind being fixed 
on his aching tooth and the dentist. 

In due time the inmates of a dwelHng on West 
Hill were disturbed in the midst of pleasant 
dreams by a loud rap on the door. Fortunately, 
the Doctor was at home, and in a few minutes 
the aching tooth was removed, root and branch, 
and Mr. Turner returned home in season to get 
a pleasant morning nap. 



CHAPTER II. 



Although Mr. Turner was successful generally 
in his various undertakings, accumulating con- 
siderable property, yet in some things he was 
unfortunate. 



72 THE EARL Y HIS TOE Y OF THE 

He bought the land on which he settled, and 
paid for it, but subsequently it was ascertained 
that his title was worthless and, not wishing to 
change his place of residence, he paid for his 
farm the second time. 

We refer to one more instance of a like kind, 
showing his financial misfortunes. The idea of 
making a turnpike road through Bethlehem was 
conceived, it being clearly seen that for years a 
large business would be transacted between the 
merchants at Poiiland, Maine, and the people of 
northern New Hampshii'e and eastern part of the 
Green Mountain State, and that the many teams 
necessarily engaged in carrying the trade would 
most naturally find their way through this town, 
and subsequent events proved the correctness of 
this idea. 

To caiTy out the plan of making Bethlehem a 
great thoroughfaJfce of business a company was 
legally formed — or it had that appearance to the 
outside world — and Mr. Turner took the job of 
building a part of this turnpike. He built it ac- 
cording to contract, hiring help to the amount of 
two hundred dollars, but the expense incurred 
by him in constructing the road the company 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H. 73 

never paid one cent,— having lost its identity, if 
ever bad any real existence. 

The amount lost by a worthless title to his 
land and his expense in constructing the turnpike 
was a great misfortune to Mr. Turner, for let it 
be remembered that the loss of a few hundred 
dollars in those days and under difficult circum- 
stances was much greater than the loss of a like 
sum at the present time. 

Mr. Turner ended his earthly pilgrimage in 
Bethlehem at the age of 73 years, on the farm 
where he made his settlement in 1790. He was 
father of Timothy P. Turner, a much esteemed 
citizen who represented the town in the councils 
of State, being father of Mr. James N. Turner, 
the proprietor of a pleasant summer boarding 
house situated on the old homestead farm. 

In June, 1803, an accident occurred that 
brought feelings of sadness to the whole town. 
Isaac Batchellor and Aaron Kenney Avere shing- 
ling a barn on what is known as the Lot Wood- 
bury farm, now occupied by Harrison Sawyer- 
Wkile at work another man came on the roof, 
and the additional weight thereby caused the 
staging to give way, precipitating the three per- 
sons to the gi'ound. Th€ visitor and Mr. Kenney 



74 THE EAMLY HISTORY OF THE 

were not dangerously injured,— catching hold of 
some parts of the staging in their descent the 
force of the concussion was lessened. Mr. Bach- 
ellor was not so fortunate. With no impediment 
to obstruct his descent he fell on the rocks below 
with great force. 

Dr. Burns of Littleton, was sent for in great 
haste, but on his arrival at the place of disaster 
he found the unfortunate man had breathed his 
last 

There was one incident that added solemnity 
to the presence of death. 

While the men were busy at their work there 
was a rapidly gathering storm in the far off west- 
ern sky, a long black mass of rising clouds skirted 
the distant horizon; peal on peal of cracking, 
rolling thunder moved in all its native grandeur, 
amid the distant storm, while the vivid lightning 
played its wild fantastic part in the general con- 
fusion of waring elements, assuming an appear- 
ance of vast sheets of fire, as it moved in a ser- 
pentine manner along the angiy billowy pile. 
Nearer and nearer came the shower, quicker and 
heavier fell the descending hammers, while the 
grand old forest awake to the increasing interest 
of the moment, sent back its echoes with increas- 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H. 75 

ing rapidity. At this juncture the staking broke 
and with fatal results. 

About the time Mr. Batchellor breathed his 
last the storm burst on the solemn scene in all 
the wild fury of a inountain shower. Death 
within the dwelling, with its ghastly foiTQ, com- 
bined with the noise of the roaring raging ele- 
ments without, all conspired to make the scene a 
fearful and impressive one. 

Thus the living were brought face to face with 
that great mystery so much alike to aU mankind. 

The educated and illiterate, alike, gaze earaest- 
ly and wishfully (as they stand on the border of 
the known,) towards the boundless unknown be- 
yond, with doubtful forebodings, and the mystery 
is no nearer solved than it was before. While 
reason and revelation only compai*atively reduces 
the darkness into twilight, enabling man to quite 
distinctly discern some essential features of a fu- 
ture life, there are very many things which we 
would be glad to learn that are veiled by impen- 
etrable blackness. 

Isaac Batchellor is no more; but his good char- 
acter and woiihy deeds are a lasting monument 
of his unselfishness and high esteem in which he 
was held by all who knew him. He was father 



76 THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE 

of Stillman Batchellor, who died in Bethlehem, 
and who was the father of Albert Batchellor, a 
rising young lawyer in his profession, now lo- 
cated in Littleton, N. H. 



^thh 



CHAPTER 12. 



The liability to be lost in the woods was 
greater in those early days than now. Even the 
most experienced in woodcraft and accustomed 
for many long years to a forest life, would some- 
times find themselves so bewildered in the bow- 
ers of nature as to be unable to discern the four 
cardinal points of the compass, mistaking one for 
tlie other, believing that every stream of water 
they saw run exactly the reverse from what it 
really did. Men who would have laughed at the 
idea of being lost where they felt so well ac- 
quainted and were so much at home, found them- 
selves so entangled that they could not be extri- 
cated without outside aid. 

We will relate an instance of that kind. 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. K 77 

. Bruin was very much aimov( cl at his future 
prospects, for civilization was rapxdly destro3ing 
his cherished home, driving- him further and fur- 
ther away from his deHghtful, chosen retreat; 
taking from him, by force, the land and foiests 
to which he had an undoubted title b}^ rightful 
inheritance. But the cool, calculating brain of 
man was too much for the instinctive power of 
his noble bearship; he saw the constantly increas- 
ing number of the invading foe without being 
able to prevent it. This he could do, and did, shared 
with them their crops, lambs, and whatever else 
could be of use to him, thus making the bold 
intruder pay rent for occupying his majesty's 
beautiful, and productive domain. 

On the other hand the settlers claimed the 
right to all of nature's vast and delightful ground, 
and the right to cultivate where, and as much of 
the same as they chose; and not only this but to 
catch and kill every bear, great and small, that 
they could. Tliis state of feelings caused an un- 
ceasing warfare between the parties interested 
which would most surely end in the almost en- 
tire extermination of the shaggy beasls. 

A man by the name of John Bemis who re- 
sided in Littleton, in what is now known as the 



78 THE EARL Y HI8T0R Y OF THE 

Towne's neighborhood, had a piece of growing' 
corn to which a bear took a great hking, and he 
Went about the work of securing by stealth his 
part of the golden kernel before its harvest 
time. 

Mr. Bemis soon discovered the plot, and at 
once determined to punish, if possible, the dar- 
ing thief; for the selfish creature showed no dis- 
position to make a fair division of the much de- 
sired treasure, but on the contrary seemed in- 
clined to appropriate it all to his own use. Ac- 
cordingl}^ he so arranged a trap that he was 
quite positive ere long he could bring old bruin 
to summary punishment, he having already been 
tried and convicted, the only remaining part of 
the programme being to catch and kill him. 

Everj^thing was now ready to carry his plan in- 
to execution. Mr. Bemis went to and from his 
trap, but found no prisoner. Bruin continued to 
visit the corn-field about his accustomed business, 
regardless of whathis bitter foe might think or 
do. But the monotony of the^general aspects of 
affairs was suddenly broken. One morning as 
usual, Mr. Bemis went to look at his trap and 
found that it was gone. The truth at once flashed 
across his mind; the trap had done its part of 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H. 79 

the work faithfully, but the fastenings had not 
been made sufficiently strong, and the bear had 
escaped taking it along with him. 

The neighbors were soon informed of the true 
state of things and having a common interest in 
the matter, they unhesitatingly agreed to make 
it a common cause and to go immediately in 
search of the culprit. With Mr. Bemis they 
soon stalled on the hunt. 

This was on the morning of October 9, 1804. 
Mr. Bemis, not anticipating a long search, started 
before eating his morning meal, taking with him 
his little dog and gun, expecting soon to return. 
Being lame he could not keep up with the rest of 
the party, and soon finding himself left beyond 
the other hunters' call took the way that seemed 
to him the most advisable. From that time he 
saw no more of his companions untU found by 
them in a sad condition. 

The weather signs of the morning were omi- 
nous of a coming storm. The low distant sound 
of murmuring thunder was born fi-om afar on a 
passing breeze, while the distant stifled noise of 
the restless elements, like some mighty giant 
putting forth all his strength to free himself from 
some galling chain, ready to snap asunder at 



80 THE EARL Y HLSTOli Y OF THE 

every successive attempt to extricate himself, 
was indistinctly heard from away to the west- 
ward. 

Mr. Bemis moved on and the clouds continued 
to thicken as the storm gathered. In a short 
time the rattling thunder and vivid flash, accom- 
panied with a heavy laJl of rain, was followed by 
a calm, which showed that the storm had done 
its work in that locality and passed on its way 
to visit the mountains. When it ceased to rain 
the snow began to fall and continued till the 
ground was covered to the depth of about twelve 
inches. When the rain began to descend Mr. 
Bemis sought shelter I eneath some friendly cov- 
ert and there remained until the calm that fol- 
lowed the shower; thon he again resumed his 
search and commenced to shout for his compan- 
ions, but no answer came, — echo being the only 
reply. 

It now became evident to him that he had 
better return home; having thus decided he 
commenced as he supposed a homeward journey 
with his thoughts on the occurrences of the day. 
He moved on not doubting but what he would 
reach home in due time in safety, but to his 
astonishment the coming night began to wrap 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H «1 

lier sable cmiains around hilltops aDcl valley, 
warning him that greater darkness and increas- 
ing cold would soon surround him. And those 
loved ones at home were waiting and watching 
eagerly for his return. He now increased his 
exertions expecting every moment to hit some 
familiar spot fi'om whence he could make a start 
in the right direction, for he now saw that he 
had lost the points of compass, for had he gone 
towards home he would have reached it loDg be- 
fore that time. 

Feeling assured that he did not know what 
course to follow after a while he concluded to 
make the best of his unpleasant situation and 
finding the best sheltei* that the unfavorable cir- 
cumstances would allow of, weary and hungry he 
halted for the night; but being used to the 
woods he expected to reach home on the mor- 
row in time to eat an early breakfast with his 
now anxious family. 

With these thoughts he yielded to the impera- 
tive demands of nature and was lost to his dan- 
gerous situation in the close embrace of welcom- 
ed sleep. 

Leaving the unfortunate man unconscious of 
Avhat was transpiring around him, we turn our 



82 THE EARLY HISTOBY OF THE 

attention to his friends and neighbors. Hope 
and fear, each in turn filled his family with con- 
flicting emotion; the liabilities and probabihties 
were fi'eely discussed, and the circumstances fa- 
vorable for and against his safe return were 
weighed with deep feeHngs experienced only un- 
der a like condition of things. While now and 
then some one of their number would exclaim, 
"Hark! I hear footsteps; guess he has come." 
But it was all an illusion born of the wish that it 
might be so. 

Thus the long night of suspense wore slowly 
awa}^ with those anxious ones. 

When morning dawned the men in that settle- 
ment having been informed that Mr. Bemis had 
not returned to his home, prepared to search for 
hun. Everything being ready the party started 
for the forest taking dinner horns, dogs and guns. 
When at a given point the men blew their horns 
and discharged their guns, which caused the 
dogs to set up a vigorous and prolonged whining 
and barking; then separating, as marked out by 
a previous programme, the search was continued 
throughout the day, occasionally halting to shout 
at the top of their voices the name of the lost 
man, to which was added the sound of horns and 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, K H. 83^ 

barking of dogs. This mingling of discordant 
sounds when blended into one confused 
mass made the welkin ring with an inde- 
scribable noise that reached the ears of distant 
listeners in a wild fantastic manner, disturbing 
numberless slumbering echoes, frightening wild 
beasts from their hiding places, and birds of va- 
rious kinds sought safety on the wing as if con- 
scious of some impending danger. At nightfall 
they all returned home with sorrowful heai'ts to 
report that their eftorts to find Mr. Bemis had 
proved a failure. 

Hope, that bright angel of mercy that hitherto 
had been a constant companion with the discon- 
solate and afflicted family, whispered words of 
cheer and brighter anticipations; thus, to gome 
extent, lessening the sadness of the hour, now 
ceased to be regarded, its soothing voice being- 
lost in the thickening darkness of fear that j^er- 
vaded their hearts and with which the very at- 
mosphere seemed to be impregnated. 

We now return to Mr. Bemis who, when day- 
light appeared, came from the place where he 
had stayed the previous night. Faint with hun- 
ger and worn with the labor and excitement of 
the preceding day, he started with his faithful 



84 THE EAIITjY HISTORY OF THE 

dog-, as he supposed ia a homew.ud direction, 
but ou reaching the Ammonoos.ic River he dis- 
covered his mistake; and he was still farther de- 
ceived in thinking the river before him was 
John's River, and that it ran in the opposite di- 
rection from what it really did. 

This was a fatal mistake, for had he followed 
the stream downward he would soon have found 
the abode of man ; but in going up the river he 
penetrated deeper and deeper into the forests of 
Bethlehem. He spent the day in wandering and 
resting and when night came on he was still be- 
yond the reach of human aid, and seating him- 
self beneath the friendly branches of the nearest 
tree he w^ent to sleep. Thus ended the second 
day of his absence from home. 

After the friends of Mr. Bemis had returned 
from their fruitless search, they held a council 
and it was decided to resume the search for him 
on the following day, which they did, their com- 
pany being enlarged by additional numbers, us- 
ing the same means as the day before to ascer- 
tain the wliereabouts of the object of their 
search with no better results. 

The movements of Mr. Bemis on this day 
were similar to tho.^e of the day previous, he 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. K ^ 85 

growing more weary and confused, having less 
and less comprehension of his real situation. 
Travelling more in circles, coming back to his 
starting point, at the same time moving some- 
what higher uj) the river. Nature could endure 
no more for the time and he sank down upon the 
eai'th exhausted. A little sleep revived him, but 
on the lohowing morning the once strong mind 
and body \vas deranged and weak, yet he con- 
tinued to wander about stopping often to rest 
and then to move again. Too much overcome 
with hunger, fatigue and exposure to have any 
well devised plan, only a vague idea that he was 
lost seemed to inspire him and he must go home. 
Thus he traveled having no regard as to w^here 
or in what direction. 

After the second day v/as ended it was decided 
that the search should be continued until the 
lost man should be found, dead or alive as mio-htr 
be. 

By this time the news that a man was lost in 
the forest had spread far and wide. On the next 
day the number of men that joined in the search 
was greatly augmented, and the manner of j^ro- 
cedure was similar to that of the preceding days, 
only, if possible, the party shouted more earnest- 



86 THE EARL Y HISTOR Y OF THE 

ly, blew their horns with greater rigor, and the 
guns were made to speak more loudly. Sudden- 
ly some of the men were attracted by the bark- 
ing of a dog belonging to the party, and on go- 
ing to the spot discovered the lost man. 

When found Mr. Bemis was sitting on a log 
holding his gun. Examination showed his powder 
was wet and the flint of his gun lost, leaving him 
without the means to kill game or make a fire; 
his feet were badly frozen and he had eaten 
nothing since leaving home, excepting a piece of 
his dog's tongue, the remainder of which was 
found in his pocket. 

The shock which Mr. Bemis received by this 
sad event caused his death about seven years 
later. 

The place where Mr. Bemis was found was in 
the vicinity of Alder Brook, on what is now 
known as Piatt's Meadow. 



TO WN OF BKTHLEHEM, N. H. 87 

CHAPTER 13. 



The wants and needs of the early settlers were 
unlike in amount and kind, in man}^ respects, to 
those of to-day, and their manner of securing 
the necessaries of life corresponded with their 
surroundings. Their food was of the plainest 
kind, anything eatable being gladly welcomed. 
The texture and cut of their wearing apparel 
was in harmony with their idea of durability, 
convenience and comfort. The animal, vegeta- 
ble and mineral kingdoms were put under con- 
tribution and ever}^ thing within their reach util- 
ized to the best advantage. Costly ornaments 
and silk dresses as well as the luxuries known to 
older communities had no place in their humble 
homes. The heavy gTOwth of timber was made 
to serve a purpose, in a manner not practical 
now, neither would it be available at the present 
time. From early dawn to a late hour at night 
there might have been seen fi*om various locali- 
ties the curling smoke making its way above the 
surrounding tree tops. A visit to the spot would 



88 THE EAllL Y HLSTUli V OF THE 

reveal the reason why it v/as so, and also afVord a 
practical illustration of salts nialiin.^-. There 
would be oii^ or more men bus}^ in r Ting oreat 
hardwood logs ou a Lirge pile, on one ^^ide of 
w^hicli the lire was fast converting the once stand- 
ing trees into ashes, while close bYwr)uldbe seen 
large kettles in which alkali w,'>s boiling and 
foaming, having been obtained h\ leaching the 
ashes secured after the logs had been burned, as 
a row of tubs or old barrels near by indicated. 

The salts obtained by boiling were sent to 
market, in exchange for which they would receive 
the necessaries of life. In various localities small 
mounds, made of ashes leached by the salt ma- 
kers may now be seen. On the Joel Winch 
place, near the line that separated that from Mr. 
Turner's, was a building where salts were manu- 
factured from ashes bought of all who chose 
to selJ tliem. 

One incident in salts making that has been 
handed down to the present generation, we give 
as an echo from the past. One of the salt mak- 
ers returned home at night for his sui)per, tak- 
ing good care to have his trusty rifle in readi- 
ness for use at a moment's warning, as he ha<l 
seen a bear a number of times in that vicinity. 



TOWN OF nETHLEUEiM, N. IL HV) 

It was (lark wlitui be set out on Lis return. The 
suiTounaing -'ooni and tliouolits of bruin liad 
Avorked ills inia:vination into so Hvely a condition 
that he woidd not haveljeen disappointed in see- 
ino- o-ame at aiiT time. With this state of feek 
ings he came in sight of his place of work and 
sud'lenly halted; the dim hght of lire gave sur- 
rounding objects an indistinct appearance, xvhich 
combined with an excited brain, brought him to 
the conclusion that his shaggy enemy had, in his 
absence, taken the liberty to gi'atifv his majesty s 
curiosity bv making an examination of things m 
general, and, bringing liis riiie to his shoulder, 
his eye rested along tl.e barrel till it reached 
the unconscious object of his gaze, when a sharp 
report broke the pervading stillness of the place. 
Drawing his long knife to finish the ugly brute 
if not ah-eady dead, he rushed to the spot and to 
his surprise found what he supposed to be a bear 
was a kettle which he sometimes used in boiling 
alkali, but at that time it was not in use, which fact 
he did not realize when he discharged his rille. 
Being a good marksman the bail had hit the 
mark^so squarely that it destroyed its future use- 
fulness. But he had this consolation,— if it had 



yu THE EAMLY mSTOMY OF THE 

been a bear lie would have been sure of his hide 
and also the bounty. 

The great suffering arising from the need of 
proper and sufficient food, and the importance of 
making salts in connection with obtainino- it is 
illustrated by the foUowing incident : 

When the bridge which the town voted to 
build was in process of construction, some of 
the workmen were oWiged to labor continuaUy 
in the water, with nothing to eat during the day 
but warm milk porridge brought to them by 
their families. This extremity to which the citi- 
zens of Bethlehem were forced, resulted in dis- 
continuing the building of the bridge for the 
time and to keep themselves from stai-ving they 
went to making salts. When a sufficient amount 
had been manufactured it was sent to market a 
distance of about 170 miles, witli an ox team 
The people during the time it took to go to mar- 
ket and return (which was neariy a month) sub- 
sisted to some extent on boiled roots, and indeed 
everything that could afford them nourishment 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, M H. 91 
CHAPTER 14. 



The inhabitants of Bethlehem resided so far 
from any post office and the faciUties for distrib- 
uting mail matter were sobad that the newspa- 
pers were delivered at the homes of those who 
took them, by special aiTangement outside of the 
post office departmeiiit, the cost of which was 
paid by the subscribers. 

The first person employed to act on this plan 
was Eeuben Baker, then a boy, and who now^ re- 
sides in town. He obtained the papers in the 
town of Barnet, Vermont, and in connection 
with this, he did errands of various kinds and 
any other business that different inhabitants de- 
sired. 

A serious accident would have befallen a man 
near Bethlehem street, but for the fortunate fact 
that the center of gravity was on the side of the 
horse opposite the danger. The man rode into 
town and after gratifying his desire for toddy 
and flip (his favorite kinds of drink) to an inor- 
dinate extent, it being nea*- dark, he mounted 
his horse with some assistance and started home- 



92 THE EATtl.Y HIHTORY OF THE 

\Yard, but a iimddletlbrahian.l an iniHteadvliaiii 
guided bis horss into an adjoining field iu wbic. 
was a deep well around which there w^as no curb 
In that direction horse and rider went uncon 
scions of any danger until they had reached : 
point so close to the well that one stirrup of th( 
saddle hung directly over the edge of the yawai- 
ing abyss, when the rider lost his balance and 
fell to the ground on the >side of the horse far- 
thest from the excavatioi^ In his descent his 
boot was left behind and, as if disliking the turn 
events had taken, as soon as it was freed from 
the foot and stirrup it fell into the dark depth 
below. Search was made for the missing boot, 
but its wliereal:»outs remained a mystery until af- 
ter a time it became necessary to clean out the 
w^ell, when, at the bottom, the article that disap- 
peared so mysteriously on tliat eventful evening, 
was found; 

Accidents of vari(^us kinds with more or less 
serious results, occupy a phxce in the early his- 
tory of this locality. It was during one of these 
extremely cold days of winter that sometimes 
come to our northern clime, that a man with an 
ox team arrived in front of a tavern on West 
Hill, kept by Thornton Barrett (now owned by 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 93 

Luther Wallace,) being very cold he left his 
team in the road and ^vent in to warui himself 
by a blazing fire and take something to cheer 
his drooping spirits. 

Mr. Barrett had the reputation of being well 
provided with good fuel and that wonderful work- 
ing drink "that warms a man in winter and cools 
him in summer/'' 

How long he stayed is uncertain, but wlien he 
was ready to depart he started out and coming- 
in sight of his team which had not moved from 
where he left it, he gave in a sharp, loud voice 
the command, " Wake uj) my boys and go along 
there ! " Perceiving that they took no notice of 
what he said, he started towards them, repeating 
the command with some additional exclamations 
and adjectives in a more vehement manner, 'but 
with no better results. 

On reaching his team he found his cattle dead, 
they having died from cold while standing in 
their tracks. 



\ 



U THE EARL Y EISTOR Y OF THE 



CHAPTER 15. 



The first resident shoemaker in town was 
Moses Eastman, who resided on the farm now 
occupied by Amasa Streeter. The first black- 
smith was Abel Hale, whose shop was located on 
the ground now covered by the Sinclair House. 
Tiie first regular physician by profession in town 
was Peter Shattuck, but he did not practic medi- 
cine. The first practicing physician was a Mr. 
Eawson, who resided on West Hill opposite the 
spot w^here stood for many years the school house 
in District No. 4. The first grist mill was located 
at Mc Gregory Hollow, Stephen Houghton, j^ro- 
prietor. Two churches were erected not long 
after the town was organized. The Congrega- 
tional building was located near where now stands 
the beautiful Centennial House; the Free Will 
Baptist building was located about a mile farther 
west on the main road nearly opposite the resi- 
dence of Timothy Hildreth and his son Orville, 
at the junction of the two roads. 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 95 

After these places of worship had sei*\'ed the 
pui-pose first intended, they were disposed of in the 
following manner: The first was sold and used 
for various building pui'poses, it being very com- 
modious the amount of timber was large. The 
other was taken down and transformed into a 
starch factory, and located near the main street, 
on the stream once known as Bean Brook near 
Reuben Baker's residence, where it now remains. 
On that stream and in the same vicinity there 
once existed a mill for grinding provender, a 
threshing machine moved by water power, a 
blacksmith shop, clover-seed mill and chair fac- 
tory (some of the chaii's there manufactured are 
now in existence,) and a brick yard. 

Then, as now, officers of justice were on the 
alert to punish offenders of the law. The follow- 
ing is an incident connected with the administi'a- 
tion of justice at the time of which we now write. 
One Dutton, for not doing as the law required 
was duly arrested at the projoer time and in an 
official manner by Stephen Houghton, constable, 
who poHtely informed the prisoner that his pres- 
ence at Haverhill jail was very desirable and that 
as he was somewhat interested in the affair, and, 
to be sure that he, Dutton, was not prevented by 



d6 THE EAllL Y HhSTOli Y OF THE 

some unforseen event from reacliing the plac ; 
he, Houghton, would escort him hither. 

Apparent!}^ by mutual consent the two starttHl 
for their place of destination. At the close of 
the first day's j jurney thyy reached the homa of 
Caleb Baker, a merchant in Franconia, distant 
live miles fi'om Bethlehem. Here the evening- 
was spent in a jovial manner — teUing stories and 
relating incidents in their individual lives — ^tlie 
prisoner taking part in the conversation. 

Everything progressed lincly until the time to 
retire had arrived, when the question arose, 
"What shall be done witJi Mr. Dulton?" 

To answer this grave question in a legal way 
puzzled the officer. Hov/ to sleep and keep a 
sharp lookout for the prisoner at the same time? 
was a task beyond his comprehension. 

Some said one thing, some another; several 
plans were discussed, when one mind more fer- 
tile than tlie rest, said he had a feasible way of 
fixing things all right, and this was his plan. 

In the room was a very large cradle having no 
footboard, in Avhich Mr. Dtitton was to be placed 
and securely bound. All agreed that this was 
just the thing to be done, wondering why it had 
not been thought of before. 



TOWN OF JJETHLEEEM, X. K U7 

B}^ ihis mode the prisoner would be placed be- 
yond the power of escape, besides securing com- 
loi-fable quarters, an opportunity for a short 
sleej) and pleasant dreams, — at least so thought 
the officer of justice. 

The scheme executed to the apparent satisfac- 
faction of all interested, officer Houghton waited 
until a deep sonorous sound from the cradle an- 
nounced his presence no longer necessary with 
Lis prisoner. His physical and mental powers 
l)eginning to feel the effects of the great strain 
to which they had been subjected through the 
day, and the reaction that sooner or later comes 
to all minds wrought up to a high pitch by exter- 
nal and internal causes, beginning to manifest 
itself, he arose fi'om his sitting posture and taking 
one searching look at the place from whence came 
the sound, now changed to suchloud heavy snoring 
as to be almost frightful. At which point the old 
family clock chimed its hourly music with a sat- 
isfied air aniioancing twelve o clock. All was 
^vell and he retired. He Avas soon sleeping only 
as one can who needs rest and is conscious of 
having faithfully performed his duty. 

^Ul continued to slumber peacefully until the 
day daAvned when Mr. Button awoke niuch re- 



1 



i)8 THE EAJILY HISTOBY OF THE 

freshed by the repose he had enjoyed. Every- 
thing was still and he was alone. After a few 
moments reflection he thus soliloquized: "I have 
no desire to escape ; but if I could play a practi- 
cal joke on my keeper and make him an object 
of laughter, placing him in a position where he 
wouJd feel compelled to pay certain bills I would 
very much like to do it, for, in that case, I would 
share in the fun and receive tangible proof of 
the benefit to be derived from the execution of 
such a movement. But, should I be detected 
and fail, the laugh would be turned on myself 
and I be obliged to pay the necessary expenses." 
After a moment's pause, he added, "Yes, I will 
try it, and run the risk, for in either case I shall 
get a drink!'* 

The cradle, though a large one, was shoit com- 
2)ared with the lengili of the occupant, his feet 
protruding far beyond the end of his prison 
house he could not extricate himself from his 
fastenings without arousing the family and thus 
frustrate his plans; but he could leave and take 
his prison with him. 

As every moment's delay endangered the suc- 
cess of his scheme he immediately got to his feet 
and noiselessly moved out of the house. 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, K H m 

A. few rods distant from the house a secluded 
si)ot afforded him the necessary retreat, and here 
we leave him to return to his official majesty. 

Hardly had Dutton ensconced himself and the 
shrubbery ceased to move when an inmate of 
the family came tripping along, pail in hand, 
bound for the spring. About the same time Mr. 
Houghton arose from his bed, hastily dressed 
and, with a serene and placid countenance, went 
to give a morning salutation to his friend Dut- 
ton. 

On opening the door of the apartment wher 
he had left the xnisoner only a few hours before, 
with one foot on the threshold he stopped in 
blank amazement, for the culprit was nowhere to 
be seen. Was he dreaming, in a nightmare, or 
was it a reality ? At that moment the loud noise 
of swallows in the capacious old-fashioned chim- 
ney attracted his attention in that direction and 
he would have made an examination of that lo- 
calit}^ but for the fact which he now for the first 
time seemed to realize, that the cradle was gone 
as well as prisoner; surely both could not be in 
that sooty aperture. 

The calmness that sat enthroned on his hope- 
ful visage bvit a few moments previous liad now 



100 THE EARLY mSTORY OF THE 

(llsippeare J. Hope and fear alt Tiiately occupied 
a place in iiis disturbed mind, occasionally blend- 
ing together in one coni'as:Hl luass making his 
situation no enviable one. 

"Yes, he has vanished, and I, officer Houghton 
am responsible; but he must be found." The 
alarm was given, and search immediately com- 
menced. All were animated by the event: great 
excitement prevailed; men, women and children 
were on the aleii: running hitlier and thither, 
some giving their opinions quite freely in the 
matter, while others were silently endeavoring to 
lind the trail, were scrutinizing every nook and 
corner, when suddenly a shout was heard fol- 
lowed by the declaration that made the welkin 
ring, "We have found him!" 

Soon all gathered at the sjoot to find Mr. Dut- 
ton as quiet and undisturbed as though nothing 
unusual had occurred, at the same time, remark- 
iitg, " I was enjoying life very much, and cannot 
comprehend the necessity for so much noise and 
confusion solely on my account. ' 

He had come to that spot for a little out dooi 
exercise and change of atmosphere, and that he 
would have returned in due time alone; but, un- 
der the circumstances, lie would go with the cro^Yd, 



TO WN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 101 

Risiug to his feet he returned to the house as 
he left it, with the cradle oii his back, saying as he 
did so, in his most polite off-handed way, "Mr. 
Houghton, Sir, officer of justice: I think that it 
is your treat ! " 

The game had been successfully played and 
Dutton had w^on. Amid shouts and laughter, in 
v/hich all joined, they returned back and as ex- 
pected, Mr. Houghton regarded it as a good joke 
and acted well his part in the closing scene. 

The matter was settled on the spot and the 
two returned home together, leaving on record 
the fact that one man had literally taken up 
his bed and w^alked. 



102 THE EARL Y HISTOR Y OF THE 



CHAPTER 16. 



Contrasting Bethlehem, as it was nearly one 
hundred years ago, with what it now is we can 
hardly realize the fact that from so small a begin- 
ning has been developed our prosperous and 
flourishing condition. To say that w^ealth has 
done all this is to defame the time-honored mem- 
ory of our worthy ancestors and do great injus- 
tice to the honest laboring men of Bethlehem of 
to-day. It j)uts in the background intelUgence, 
morality and Christianity — elements ever essen- 
tial to success. It ignores the fact that wealth 
is only an instrument in accomplishing high and 
noble purposes. It disregards prominent facts 
in our history, as though undisputed records of 
the past could be blotted out of existence by an 
empty, pompous assertion. It seeks to change 
the order of things established by the Creator, 
and to found prosperity on an entirely new basis. 
Sucli an idea is born of ignorance, with no true 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H 108 

conception of tlie nature of true greatness or 
the mode of obtaining it. 

Those who assert that wealth is the highest 
point to reach the one great object of life, reiter- 
ates the sentiments of Mr. Hammond of South 
Carolina, wlien he said of the laboring jiortion 
of the community, "They are the mud-sills of 

society 1" 

An'^attempt to enforce this theory lias brought 
into existence secret organizations which honey- 
combed the nations of the East and made inse- 
cure the despotic governments of the old world, 
and like causes would produce like results in our 
own liappy land. 

The foundation of what Bethlehem now is and 
what she is capable of being was laid deep on 
broad principles that exist in the nature of things, 
unaccompanied by wealth and the many luxuries 
of a later date, but under a condition of things 
the reverse of all this. The germ of its great- 
ness was planted beneath overhanging branches 
of forest trees, among granite rocks and piles of 
snow attended by piercing blasts from the fi'ozen 
clime. It was fostered and cared for amid the 
gloom of poverty as well as great perils and 
hardships, and at times with many fears of star- 



104 THE EARL Y HlSTOli Y OF THE | 

vation. It was watered by many tears that often 
times flowed like summer's rain to invig-orate the 
tender plant destined to unfold its branches and 
bear its legitimate fiaiitage fardo.^•n the pathway 
of tune. Certain fundamental principles under- 
lie prosperity and true greatness and are essen- 
tial elements of success at all times and in' all 
parts of the globe, ^^hether surrounded with 
palm and cocoa trees, in the land of orange blos- 
soms, of cotton and of cane, or among the gran- 
ite hills of our New England homes. Industr^• 
m the right direction has acted a conspicuous 
part m the growth of Bethlehem, from the day 
the woodman's axe broke the silence of the dense 
forests of Lloyd's Hill to the present time 
Economy also takes its place as a yaluable fea- 
ture m the great Avhole, to which much credit is 
due, while the school and meeting houses tru- 
ly proclann: "Without our aid the present 
condition of things could not have been what 
they now are." The seed of prosperity Mas sown 
by other hands, we reap the harvest: they plant- 
ed the tree, we gather the fruit thereof. It is 
not for this generation to lay the foundatioTi, but 
It is our duty to defend and, by our indiyidual 
efforts, aid in strengthening that glorious struc- 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, X H lOo 
ture, the buiMin^ of wliicH was conmieiiced by 
our worthy ancestors nearly one hundred years 
ago on the site of our pleasantly situated and 
beautiful mountain homes. 



lOG THE EABLY HISTOIIY OF THE 

BETHLEHEM AT THE PRESENT TIMS. 



Betlilehem village is situated upon a liigli pla- 
teau nearly 1500 feet above the level of the sea, 
with mountains fringing the horizon in every di- 
rection. Thousands of people visit this place 
annually to enjoy its beautiful scenery and in- 
vigorating air. Some of the best views in the 
world are obtained from Bethlehem, and the 
cars can be seen almost any day ascending Mt. 
Washington. The town is suppHed with never- 
failing spring water, brought fi-om a high hiU 
back of the village. The drainage is perfect. 

There are about thirty hotels and boarding 
houses, a public hall, three miles of sidewalks 
raid all necessary improvements. Being situated 
midway between the AVhite and Franconia 
Mountains every point of interest can be visited 
in a day's excursion. 

Tourists visiting Bethlehem should come on 
the P. & O. K. R or the B. C. (fc M. and Wtiite 
Mountains R R to Betlilehem Junction and 
there take the Narrow Gauge Road to the village. 
Those coming over the B. C. & M. R. R. can take 



TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, N. H. 107 

the stage at Littleton and reach Bethlehem 20 
minutes in advance of railroad time. 

Below is a hst of the principal hotels and 
boarding houses : 

Maplewood,— one of the largest and handsom- 
est buildings of its kind about the mountains; 
accommodates 500 guests. Maplewood Cottage 
accommodates 100, and Maplewood Hall 150. 
These tliree houses are all under one ownership. 
The Sinclair House covers the site of the original 
establishment— the first of its kind in Bethlehem 
—accommodates 300 guests. Blandin House, H. 
C. Clark, proprietor, accommodates 30 guests ; 
Centennial House, H. W. Wilder, proprietor, 60 
guests; Mt. Agassiz House, H. Nye, proprietor, 
60; Mt. Washington House, C. L. Bartlett, pro- 
prietor, 60; Prospect House, G. W. Phillips, pro- 
prietor, 80; Eanlet's Hotel, D. W. Eaulet, pro- 
prietor, 75; Turner House, J. N. Turner & Son, 
proprietors, 75. The Highland House, the Belle- 
vue, the Alpine, the Uplands, the Bethlehem 
House, the Howard and the Strawberry Hill 
Houses each accommodate from 50 to 150 guests. 
There are numerous smaller houses at which 
guests can secure good accommodations at rea- 
son a].)le rates. 



lOS THE EARLY lUSrORY OF THE 

All these houses have good livery stables con- 
nected where fine teams can be obtained to visit 
any of the various points of interest, and return 
tlie same da}-. 

Taking everything into consideration, Bethle- 
hem ofters better advantages to the summer tou- 
rist than almost any place on the western conti- 
nent. 

The Narrow (range Railroad from Bethlehem 
Junction, — which runs to the Profile House, also 
to Bethlehem street, — -is a great accommodation 
to travelers. 

]\Iany fine private residences have been erected 
iu this town in the past few years, among which 
is one built the present season on AYest Hill, 
and which is probably the most oddly construct- 
ed private residence in New England. 

During the month of August 2,000 summer 
boarders have comfortable rooms in this town. 

The population of Bethlehem is 1,400. 



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